For many Whitman students, the thought of competing in a triathlon might be intimidating: a grueling combination of swimming, biking and running that demands months of preparation. But for members of Whitman’s newly formed Triathlon Club, the experience is less about competition and more about fun and community. 

On Sunday May 17, 13 club members will compete in the 32nd annual Onion Man Triathlon, one of Walla Walla’s longest running events, at Bennington Lake. The Olympic-distance race features a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike course and a 10-kilometer run through the foothills near the Blue Mountains. Known as a grassroots and beginner-friendly event, Onion Man draws both first-time racers and experienced triathletes from around the region. 

For Whitman students, the race will mark the culmination of a semester spent on building confidence and training together. 

First-year Claire Bloom, one of the club’s leaders, said she first became involved with the club through her role on ASWC, where she heard the proposal to create the organization in the fall of 2025. 

“I got really excited,” Bloom said. “When I came here [to Whitman], I thought there was going to be a running club. I just wanted a place to run with other people.” 

At first, Bloom had no intention of competing in a triathlon. 

“I wasn’t really expecting to bike or swim,” Bloom said. “But then I thought, well, I guess I can just do it all.” 

What began as occasional group runs in the fall quickly developed into structured practices three times a week this spring. Club members now meet regularly for swims, bike rides and runs as race day approaches. 

First-year Lilly Audette, also a club leader, joined for similar reasons. A longtime runner, Audette was hoping to find a casual running community at Whitman after deciding not to pursue collegiate cross country. 

“I was so excited when I heard someone was starting a triathlon club,” Audette said. “I just expected to go to the running practices.” 

Instead, she found herself embracing the unfamiliar aspects of the sport. 

“It’s been fun to learn other sports,” Audette said. “I really love running, but I’ve also enjoyed learning to swim, and biking has been really fun, too.”

That willingness to step outside comfort zones has become a defining feature of the club. Senior Sofia Del Fiol said she was recruited at an activities fair after club leaders encouraged her to give it a try. 

“I was like, ‘wait, I actually haven’t even considered this,’” Del Fiol said. “It could be fun.”

She attended an early run with the group and quickly realized the challenge ahead. 

“I ran for three miles with them, and it kicked my butt,” Del Fiol said. “It made me feel like I should run more.” 

Though her athletic background is primarily in rock climbing, Del Fiol described herself as someone who once disliked cardio. Since joining the club, that has changed. 

“I was always that person [who] was like, ‘I hate cardio,’” Del Fiol said. “I feel like I’ve been liking it a lot more now.” 

For many members, the group setting has made strenuous physical training more manageable. Long bike rides, early morning swims and endurance runs can be daunting alone, but shared commitment among teammates has fostered accountability and encouragement. 

“I don’t know that I would ever be going on bike rides if it wasn’t for the club,” Bloom said. 

Audette agreed, saying that some days she feels unmotivated until she remembers she is meeting teammates. 

“It’s always more fun with a group,” Audette said. 

Swimming has been one of the steepest learning curves for some members. Bloom’s first time practicing laps was humbling. 

“The first time I swam, I couldn’t breathe halfway down the pool,” Bloom said. 

Over time, though, Audette said progress has been noticeable and that swimming offers fast improvement for beginners willing to stick with it. 

Triathlon club has also navigated logistical hurdles as a new student organization. Because the group is not a varsity or club sport team, funding travel and race entry fees required extra coordination. Bloom said club members used contingency funding and worked with Student Activities staff to help subsidize registrations. Organizers of Onion Man also provided a discount for Whitman participants. 

Member interest in the race exceeded expectations. Bloom estimated around 13 students initially expressed interest, more than the nine members projected in early funding requests.

Despite the excitement, members emphasized that race day goals are personal rather than competitive. 

“At the beginning, I didn’t even know if I could finish [the triathlon],” Bloom said. “My goal is finishing.” 

Audette said she hopes to complete the course in under three and a half hours but added that simply crossing the finish line matters most. 

Del Fiol shared a similar mindset. 

“I don’t care if I’m the slowest person,” Del Fiol said. “I just want to finish it.” 

That perspective reflects the broader mission of both the club and Onion Man itself: making triathlons accessible to newcomers. 

At Whitman, Triathlon Club has taken up that same mission with community building and competitive spirit. When club members line up at Bennington Lake on May 17, they’ll carry that energy with them. 

Reporting was contributed to this article by Danny Pottharst.