Ashland University is hosting a triathlon to be run on March 17th to raise money for a Panama mission trip that is made possible through the AU Isaiah Project. John Mark McMillan had performed on campus on March 14th to help raise money for the event. The triathlon, scheduled to occur on St. Patrick’s Day, will supply additional funds to make the trip possible.

In addition to the triathlon, there will also be a 5K event. Anyone interested in participating in either event must register beginning at 6:30 a.m., Saturday, March 17th, at the Ashland University Recreational Center. The races will begin at 8 a.m. Cost to participate in the triathlon is $55.00 and anyone interested in the 5K event will have to pay another $20.00.

“The events that will take place include a 500 meter swim, a 20K bicycle race, and a 5K run,” explained Panama Mission Trip Leader Tyler Franz. After the events, AU alumni Richard Jordan will be performing live music and there will be an additional fundraiser known as St. Baldrick’s Day.

“This is an event in which volunteers shave their heads to help raise money for childhood cancer research,” Franz said. Participants of St. Baldrick’s day will receive a complimentary t-shirt from the event, which is set to take place in Redwood Hall. “Anyone is more than welcome to come and participate, volunteer to help out, or come to just enjoy the live music and watch the St. Baldrick’s Day shavings,” Franz stated. During the post-race events, members of the AU Panama Team will be selling “Threads of Hope” bracelets to raise additional money for the Panama Mission trip.

“The hard thing about a triathlon that most people don’t realize is that this event is a test of endurance as well as a test of your mind,” said triathlon participant Cyrus Massoudi. “To do all three [swimming, biking and running] back to back without a break—that is just hard. You use your legs for everything. Biking is probably the most difficult,” he explained, “because when you switch over to running, it is a completely different motion of your legs.” Massoudi has trained strenuously for this event, as have the other participants. Everyone is encouraged to come and witness the endurance of fellow AU students.