The triathlon is a grueling personal challenge that combines swimming, biking and running into an arduous endeavor that tests the body and mind.

The University’s Triathlon Club can prepare any strong-willed individual for the physical test.

The Triathlon Club has had official club sports status for two years – increasing its membership to more than 60 undergraduates, graduate students and faculty, which makes it the sixth largest collegiate triathlon club in the nation, said club president Sarah Breevoort.

The Triathlon Club has achieved outstanding success, last year winning the collegiate men and women’s Southeast Regional championship. The club enjoys the membership of three of the five top-ranked regional athletes.

The club offers a variety of membership levels depending upon one’s skill. The General Club level is for triathlon beginners.

The Club Member level, which includes a small membership fee to pay for equipment and training services, is designed for those more experienced in the sport.

The racing team is composed of the most competitive members of the team, focusing on competition at the national level.

Breevoort, a junior biochemistry major from Kennesaw, encourages athletes of all ability levels to join the club.

“We are here to support each other in training and to compete with ourselves as well as develop a healthy lifestyle,” Breevoort said.

The team practices each weekday evening. The variety of workouts includes swimming on Monday and Tuesday, biking on Thursday and Saturday and running on Tuesdays.

Coaches at each practice design workout schedules for the athletes.

According to Breevoort, the rich variety of training schedules offers members a chance to improve their skills while having fun.

The club requires members to attend at least one team practice a week.

“People usually get out of the practices what they put into it,” said running coach Erin Gowr, a senior Exercise Science major from Marietta.

The team tries to compete in as many events as possible to create a sense of team union, which adds to great workout camaraderie.

This spring’s race schedule includes the United States Triathlon Association Collegiate Nationals on April 21, the Clemson Triathlon on May 12 and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Man Half Iron Triathlon on June 3.