The Wildcat Ironman is taking place until April 27 for its second year since its creation in 2018.
The Ironman consists of students and faculty who wish to participate, and challenges their levels of fitness in a three week virtual race.
The goal of the race is to log as many hours as possible while swimming, biking and running over the course of the three week time period. The more hours a contestant has, the higher their chance at placing in the race.
Kinesiology professor Deonna Shake said that the goal of Wildcat Ironman is to show students that managing this kind of workout schedule is not impossible.
“The goal of the Kinesiology Club and Student Recreation and Wellness Center is to offer a challenge for the month of April that is actually more manageable than one might think,” Shake said. “If you break down the event into what would be required to finish in 22 days, one would need to swim 3.86 laps, 5.09 miles on a bike and 1.19 miles running or walking per day.”
Participants have the option of utilizing a team of three individuals to help in completing the Wildcat Ironman, or doing it alone.
Shake said that those who register will be given a commemorative t-shirt and a finishing medal upon completion of the virtual race.
Kinesiology Club president Cayla Clark said that she is excited to see the results that the staff and students will bring upon finishing the race.
“The race just started this weekend, and we are excited to see the progress of our participants through the three weeks of the virtual race,” Clark said. “My hope is that the event will grow even more in the years to come, and that people will be talking about ACU’s Kinesiology Club Ironman.”
With the event having only two years under its belt, not many on campus are fully aware of the race’s existence yet. Shake said that she believes the low numbers may be a potential byproduct of the Blitz Triathlon, which only ended recently.
“Next year, our plan is to offer the Blitz in the fall and the Wildcat Ironman in the spring,” Shake said. “At any rate, this is an event that the club and rec center believe gives people a unique goal and motivation to get out, move more and conquer something.”
Clark said that the Kinesiology department’s mission through events like these is to just give people incentive to live better and healthier lives through fitness.
“Total health and wellness is always our mission,” Clark said. “Through events like this one, we hope to spread a passion for health along to our campus and Abilene community in order to inspire people to live healthier lives.”
