Overview

While mainstream triathlon participation remains dominated by white athletes due to historical exclusion, high costs, and lack of belonging, grassroots events like the PUSH Fitness triathlon are creating new pathways for athletes of color to enter the sport. This community-centered event in St. Paul is successfully breaking down barriers in triathlon through intentional design, community partnerships, and unwavering commitment to accessibility.

Drawing from six years of growth and participant stories from the PUSH Fitness triathlon, plus partnerships with organizations like Biking with Baddies and Melanin in Motion, this model demonstrates how small events can create significant cultural change in sports participation.

The Stark Reality of Triathlon Demographics

The numbers tell a sobering story about inclusion in endurance sports. National data consistently shows that less than 1% of triathletes are Black, reflecting decades of systemic barriers that have kept athletes of color away from this growing sport.

Historical exclusion

Historical exclusion from public spaces forms the foundation of these disparities. For generations, Black Americans faced discrimination in accessing pools, parks, and recreational facilities—the very spaces where triathlon skills are developed. This historical context still influences participation today, as many communities of color lack access to quality swimming facilities or safe cycling routes.

The cost barrier

The cost barrier compounds these challenges. Training for triathlon requires proficiency in three disciplines, each with its own equipment needs and training costs. From pool memberships to quality bikes to running gear, the financial investment can easily reach thousands of dollars before an athlete even registers for their first race.

Triple-discipline challenges

The compounding effect of requiring proficiency in three disciplines creates additional hurdles. Unlike single-sport activities, triathlon demands comfort and competence in swimming, cycling, and running. For communities historically excluded from swimming instruction or cycling culture, this triple requirement can feel insurmountable.

Representation and belonging

Perhaps most significantly, the lack of representation and belonging in traditional triathlon spaces creates psychological barriers. When potential athletes don't see themselves reflected in a sport's participants, coaches, or leadership, they're less likely to believe they belong there.

The PUSH Model: Accessibility by Design

Connie Sheehan recognized these barriers when she founded the PUSH Fitness triathlon six years ago at Lilydale Pool & Yacht Club in St. Paul. Her approach wasn't just about hosting another race—it was about intentionally designing accessibility into every aspect of the event.

"I am still doing this because I am trying to create a safe place for people of color to know they can move their bodies."

Physical accessibility stands as a core pillar of the PUSH model. Sheehan welcomes participants regardless of ability level, including "brand new swimmers who hadn't been swimming before" and individuals who "need assistance walking, but can swim." This inclusive approach sends a powerful message that triathlon isn't reserved for elite athletes.

Relay team options reduce individual skill barriers by allowing participants to focus on their strongest discipline. Most PUSH participants compete in relay teams, with each member taking on swimming, biking, or running. This format eliminates the intimidation factor of needing to excel in all three sports simultaneously.

Financial accessibility through strategic sponsorship removes cost as a barrier to participation. This year's event attracted 11 sponsors, including the Healing Justice Foundation, which helped nearly 100 participants of color register. This sponsorship model ensures that financial constraints don't prevent interested athletes from participating.

The beginner-friendly atmosphere creates psychological safety for first-time participants. With ages ranging from 17 to 70 and many completing their first triathlon, the event celebrates participation over performance, fostering an environment where taking the first step matters more than crossing the finish line first.

Community Organizations as Catalysts

The success of the PUSH triathlon demonstrates the power of existing fitness communities as pathways to new sports. Organizations like Biking with Baddies and Melanin in Motion serve as crucial bridges, introducing their members to triathlon through trusted community connections.

Natasha Pugh of Minneapolis exemplifies this pathway approach. "I found out about this through Biking with Baddies, which is an organization that I biked with recreationally," she shared while preparing for her first triathlon. "I knew that I could bike a little bit, but I wanted to challenge myself. This felt like a good intro to triathlons."

Peer support and shared identity create powerful motivations for participation. When athletes see people who look like them and share similar experiences taking on challenges, it expands their perception of what's possible. These community organizations provide the social proof and encouragement that traditional triathlon marketing often lacks.

Family involvement and intergenerational participation amplify the event's impact beyond individual athletes. Jasmine Boudah brought her daughter to witness her race preparation and participation, explaining: "Her observing us practice for months and train our bodies, eat well, and think about the mindfulness of the practice, bringing her to observe it has been a humbling experience and a grateful opportunity."

The Bailey family traveled from Fargo, North Dakota, to participate as a relay team, with 16-year-old Simone competing for her third year. Her perspective captures the broader significance: "It shows that Black women and Black people can be outside and do activities just like this whenever they want."

Personal Stories of Transformation

The individual stories emerging from the PUSH triathlon reveal the profound impact of inclusive sports programming on personal growth and community health.

Sainab Sahal

Sainab Sahal's multi-year journey demonstrates how sustained participation builds confidence and capability. As a returning participant from Golden Valley, Sahal describes her motivation: "What drew me to the triathlon was the opportunity to challenge myself, commit to disciplined training, and push past my limits." Her connection to "groups like Melanin in Motion and their slow roll bike rides" shows how community connections facilitate athletic development.

After completing this year's race, Sahal reflected on the experience: "The triathlon was both challenging and rewarding. During tough moments, I kept pushing through. The incredible feeling of accomplishment after crossing the finish line showed me that I'm capable of more than I thought, and left me motivated to keep taking on new challenges."

Natasha Pugh

Natasha Pugh's journey from recreational biking to triathlon illustrates how accessible entry points can lead to expanded athletic horizons. Her months of training preparation and race-day excitement—"I didn't really sleep last night. I'm excited to get on my bike, see how fast I can go, and see how I finish the race"—capture the transformative power of having supportive spaces to challenge oneself.

Broader health implications

The broader health implications extend far beyond individual athletic achievement. As Ebony Templeton, who lives near Bde Maka Ska, explained: "This event is important to me because it's really important for people of color to be out here and be active and prioritize their well being. This is self care."

Beyond the Finish Line: Health and Community Impact

The PUSH triathlon addresses health disparities through the lens of physical activity and community engagement. Sheehan's motivation stems from understanding the connection to health disparities in Black communities: "I know that the incidence of high blood pressure... it's killing us. I believe one of the ways to get past that is to move our bodies in any way that feels good to you."

Physical activity as preventive medicine becomes more accessible when delivered through culturally relevant, community-centered programming. The triathlon format provides cardiovascular benefits across three different movement modalities, offering participants multiple ways to improve their health.

Community building through shared challenges creates social connections that extend beyond race day. Participants train together, support each other through difficulties, and celebrate achievements collectively. These social bonds contribute to overall community resilience and individual motivation for sustained healthy behaviors.

Creating safe spaces for movement and wellness addresses the psychological barriers that often prevent people of color from accessing fitness spaces. When Sheehan emphasizes creating "a safe place for people of color to know they can move their bodies," she's acknowledging the importance of belonging and safety in health-promoting behaviors.

The long-term vision for expanding access positions individual events like PUSH as catalysts for broader systemic change. Lead volunteer Njia Lawrence-Porter's report that participants ranged from 17 to 70 years old, with many completing their first triathlon, suggests that accessible programming can reach across age groups and experience levels.

The Replication Blueprint

The PUSH Fitness triathlon model offers concrete strategies that other communities can adapt and implement:

• Start with community partnerships rather than trying to build from scratch. Identify existing fitness or recreational groups that already serve your target population and build relationships with their leadership.
• Design accessibility from the beginning rather than adding it as an afterthought. Consider physical accessibility, financial accessibility, skill-level accessibility, and cultural accessibility in your initial planning.
• Prioritize participation over performance to create welcoming environments for beginners. Celebrate first-time participants as enthusiastically as competitive athletes.
• Leverage sponsorship for equity by actively seeking sponsors who share your inclusion values and can provide financial support for participation barriers.
• Document and share your story to inspire replication and demonstrate impact. The stories emerging from PUSH create a blueprint that other communities can follow and adapt.

Looking Forward: The Future of Inclusive Endurance Sports

The success of the PUSH Fitness triathlon points toward broader possibilities for transforming sports accessibility nationwide. When small, community-centered events consistently demonstrate that barriers can be overcome through intentional design and authentic community engagement, they create momentum for larger systemic changes.

As more communities recognize the power of this model, we can envision a future where triathlon participation reflects the diversity of our communities rather than historical exclusions. The ripple effects extend beyond individual sports to broader questions of health equity, community wellness, and what it means to create truly inclusive spaces for human flourishing.

The work continues, one race at a time, one participant at a time, one community at a time. The PUSH triathlon reminds us that transformation happens when we move beyond good intentions to intentional action—creating spaces where everyone belongs and everyone can thrive.

Ready to support inclusive fitness in your community? Visit the PUSH Fitness website at pushfitnessforyou.com/triathlon to learn more about their model, or explore how you can create similar opportunities in your area. The blueprint exists—what we need now is the commitment to build it. Consider investing in quality swimming goggles or entry-level bikes to help make triathlon more accessible in your own community.