A club centered around running, swimming, and biking, Penn State’s Triathlon Club brings students together to push beyond their limits.

Established over 40 years ago, the club initially served as a training ground for competitive triathletes to come together. However, over the years, the club has evolved into a welcoming community, attracting both competitive athletes and those interested in recreational triathlons. 

Club president Gus Platt got involved with the Penn State Triathlon Club, inspired by his own passion for competing. He notes the club has had highly successful members, and they have big aspirations for the future.

“We had two national champions about 10 years ago. They were excellent in the Olympic distance,” said Platt.

This year, the club has its sights set on a top ten placement at the national championships. Their most recent regional championship took place in Westchester, NY, where the team achieved outstanding results.

Platt shared that he wants the club to become more inclusive to anyone interested in triathlons, regardless of their experience or financial situation. Whether it’s saving money or just wanting to try out a triathlon, members have access to free resources, including equipment and registration fee waivers.

“We have road bikes, people can use if they don’t have one, free tires, discounts on race registrations, will cover gas to get to events, and that kind of thing,” said Platt.

The group trains throughout the week with a group run every Saturday, swimming at the White Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and running on the indoor track every Monday. Platt notes the importance and enjoyment found in training alongside others.

“It’s just more fun to train with people. You just push yourself more, and you get better,” said Platt.

When the club isn’t training, they have social activities that allow members to bond while staying in shape. For more information on Penn State’s Triathlon Club, folks can visit their Instagram.