Springfield, Ohio – Associate Professor of History Christian Raffensperger, along with members of the Wittenberg community, are bringing the 16th Wittenberg Triathlon to campus on Saturday, April 23. First held in 2000, the triathlon unites students, alumni, members of the faculty and staff, and family members, too, all in the name of fitness.
Professor of Mathematics Douglas Andrews and Professor of Biology Margaret Goodman have participated in the “Witt Tri” every year since its inception.
Andrews sees the event as an “anti-competitive…neat way to get different sets of Witt folk together for healthy fun, fitness and recreation.”
The event begins at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Center’s (HPER) Natatorium with an 18-lap swim. Participants then depart along Bill Edwards Drive and head toward Ohio Bicycle Route 40/Buck Creek Trail where they undergo 12.2 miles of biking. Finally, the route culminates with a 3.1-mile run from Bill Edwards Drive, routing participants back to the HPER Center.
“The best part of the Witt Tri is the supportive nature of the event. Everyone encourages one another, cheers for one another and celebrates their accomplishments,” Raffensperger said.
After finishing his first Witt Tri, Raffensperger felt nothing but encouragement and enthusiasm from the Wittenberg community.
“This is best exemplified by the volunteers who turn out every year on the morning of Witt Fest, in the rain and cold some years, just to cheer on their friends, classmates, professors and parents,” he added.
Kelsey Lorko, a junior at Wittenberg currently studying abroad in Chile, participated in the Witt Tri last year. It was her third triathlon. To prepare herself for the race, she exercises consistently.
“I work out five-to-six days a week, usually taking weekends off to rest,” she said. “For my workouts, I cross train. Some days I will bike and run, other days I will only swim, and on rare occasions, I will do all three.
“There is something so satisfying in completing a triathlon, or any race for that matter, because essentially you are competing against yourself...and, above all, they’re just fun,” said Lorko, who will be unable to compete in this year’s event because of her current geographic location.
“I will be cheering from Chile. Maybe I’ll do my own mini tri in spirit,” she added.
