Every February CWU hosts the Indoor Ironman, a competition that tests participants stamina and discipline via running, biking and swimming.

“It is a great event right around resolution time that will help motivate and push individuals and hopefully their friends,” Intramural Sports and Special Events Coordinator, Jordan Stinglen said, stating that the event was created long before he was hired and has remained monumental.

To complete the competition students must run 28 miles, bike 115 miles and swim two miles before the month ends.

“Patience,” Stinglen replied when asked what it takes to complete the competition. “Two miles swimming, 28 miles [of] running and 115 miles [on bike] is a long way. Participants need to be careful not to do too much toward the beginning and tire themselves out. It takes a lot of mental toughness to keep going especially after the first couple weeks.”

Starting Feb. 1 participants will track and report their progress weekly. Every participant will receive a t-shirt at the start of the month. Since it’s a competition, the first three male and female contestants to complete all requirements will receive a champions t-shirt and sunglasses.

Assistant Director of Student Development and Programs Dania Cochran, talks about the commitment it takes to finish the Indoor Ironman Challenge.

“You can be extremely competitive or not at all. Simply commit to yourself, focus on your best and you will be a healthier person at the end of February,” Cochran said. “Participating in a competition that tells me specifically what I have to do and in what amount of time means I can make a plan for a whole month and really dedicate time and effort to finishing.”

There is a display case in the lobby of the Recreation Center that is updated each week to see where everyone stands.Last year there were 75 contestants; 50 of them completed the competition.

“I think it’s a great event put on through the school because it can get students to exercise and push themselves. It can make exercise fun for some people; especially if one is doing it with a friend,” CWU student and Recreation Center employee, Laura Hisler said.

On the CWU website you can find a page for the Indoor Ironman Competition where they have a PowerPoint outlining all the guidelines of the competition. This includes how to track your progress, the distances that you must go to complete each challenge and advice on how to accomplish each goal.