Fatman Triathlon 2026: A Record-Breaking Community Event for Monroe County Veterans
What happens when you trade in your swim cap and running shoes for a shotgun, bowling ball, and golf club? You get one of the most inclusive and effective veteran fundraisers in Monroe County's history.
The Fourth Annual Fatman Triathlon
The fourth annual Fatman Triathlon shattered participation records on May 16, 2026, uniting the Monroe County community in an unprecedented show of support for local veterans and their families. Organized by CUP Community Uplift Program, this unique daylong event proved that you don't need a finish-line tape or a wetsuit to create something truly impactful.
What began as a creative twist on the traditional triathlon concept has evolved into a grassroots movement, redefining what community fundraising can look like. Whether you're a seasoned competitor, a casual bowler, or someone who simply wants to give back, the Fatman Triathlon has a place for you.
What Sets the Fatman Triathlon Apart
Redefining the Triathlon Experience
When most people think of a triathlon, they imagine elite athletes tackling open-water swims, long bike rides, and road runs. The Fatman Triathlon throws that playbook out the window — and that's precisely the point.
Instead of the traditional swim-bike-run format, participants engage in three distinctly Michigan activities:
- 🎯 Trap shooting at Monroe Rod and Gun Club
- 🎳 Bowling at Monroe Sports Center
- ⛳ Golf at Green Meadows Golf Course
This unconventional format dramatically lowers the barrier to entry. You don't need to be an athlete. You don't need a training plan. You just need a team, a little competitive spirit, and a desire to support local veterans.
A Day-Long Community Celebration
The Fatman Triathlon isn't just a competition — it's a community gathering. Participants move between venues throughout the day, creating a rotating social experience that keeps energy high from morning through evening. The event concludes with dinner and raffles at Green Meadows Golf Course, where competitors and supporters gather to celebrate the cause together.
That closing celebration transforms a fundraiser into a shared memory, the kind that brings people back year after year.
Designed for Inclusivity
One of the event's greatest strengths is its team-based format. Rather than pitting individual athletes against one another, the Fatman Triathlon invites teams — friends, coworkers, families, community organizations — to compete together. This structure removes the pressure of individual performance and shifts the focus to collective participation and fun.
Anyone can show up. Everyone can contribute. That accessibility is a core reason why participation has grown every single year since the event launched.
Record-Breaking Growth and Community Support
The Momentum Is Real
Four years in, the Fatman Triathlon is no longer a scrappy startup event — it's a Monroe County institution. The 2026 edition was described by organizers as the largest Fatman Triathlon to date, drawing a record number of teams and supporters to venues across the county.
That kind of sustained growth doesn't happen by accident.
What Drives Participation Year After Year
Sam Struth, president of CUP Community Uplift Program, put it plainly:
"This year's Fatman Triathlon exceeded all expectations. The support from our participants, sponsors, volunteers, and community continues to grow each year, allowing us to further our mission of supporting local veterans and their families."
The factors behind that growth tell a familiar story about what makes grassroots events work:
- Consistent sponsor commitment that makes the logistics possible
- An expanding volunteer network that keeps operations smooth across multiple venues
- Strong venue partnerships with Monroe Rod and Gun Club, Monroe Sports Center, and Green Meadows Golf Course
- Word-of-mouth momentum from participants who come back — and bring friends
The Sponsorship and Volunteer Ecosystem
Behind every successful community fundraiser is an invisible infrastructure of people who show up to make it happen. The Fatman Triathlon leans heavily on that infrastructure. Sponsors cover operational costs, venues open their doors, volunteers staff each location, and community donors amplify the financial impact. That ecosystem — not any single element — is what allows CUP to scale this event year after year.
2026 Competition Results
Friendly competition is the engine that drives engagement at the Fatman Triathlon. After a full day of shooting, bowling, and golfing across Monroe County, winners were recognized in each category:
| Event | Champions |
|---|---|
| 🎯 Trap Shooting | Art Parran and Ryan Eyler |
| 🎳 Bowling | Chris Roussey and Cody Hison |
| ⛳ Golf | Kyle Hawkins and Adam Richardville |
| 🏆 Grand Champions | Ben Starr and Blake Starr |
Congratulations to all participants and winners — and to the dozens of teams whose participation made the 2026 event the biggest yet.
Beyond the trophies, these results do something important: they create community storylines. Winners become ambassadors. Runners-up become motivated returnees. And every team that participates walks away having contributed to something that genuinely matters.
The Mission: Supporting Local Veterans and Their Families
Why This Cause Hits Home
Veterans represent a vital thread in every community's fabric. But the transition from military to civilian life brings real, lasting challenges — financial strain, mental health struggles, isolation, and the difficulty of accessing support systems that actually understand what service members have been through.
Local fundraising initiatives like the Fatman Triathlon keep resources close to home, where the impact is direct and tangible. When Monroe County residents show up to shoot trap, bowl a few frames, and play nine holes in support of local veterans, those dollars stay in the community and serve the people who need them most.
CUP Community Uplift Program: The Organization Behind It All
CUP Community Uplift Program is the heart of this effort. Dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, CUP has built a fundraising model around community-centered events that are replicable, scalable, and genuinely fun to participate in. The Fatman Triathlon is their flagship event — and its four-year growth trajectory suggests this is just the beginning.
For questions, sponsorship inquiries, or more information about the programs CUP supports, reach out directly:
- 📧 Email: communityupliftprogram@gmail.com
- 📘 Facebook: Search CUP Community Uplift Program
How to Get Involved in 2027
For Potential Participants
You don't need a triathlon training plan. You don't need to be in peak physical shape. You need a team, a competitive spirit, and a calendar reminder for spring 2027. Start rallying your group now — whether that's your workplace crew, your family, your neighbors, or your weekend golf buddies.
Contact CUP Community Uplift Program to get on the list for 2027 registration details as soon as they're available.
For Sponsors and Local Businesses
If your business is looking for a meaningful way to invest in the Monroe County community, the Fatman Triathlon offers real visibility and real impact. Sponsorship puts your brand alongside a cause that resonates with community members across demographics. Reach out to CUP to discuss sponsorship packages and partnership opportunities.
For Volunteers
Volunteer roles are available across all three venues throughout the event day. This is a one-day commitment with a direct, measurable community benefit. If you want to be part of the infrastructure that makes this event run, contact CUP Community Uplift Program to learn how to plug in.
For Everyone Else
Even if you're not competing, the Fatman Triathlon welcomes supporters. The dinner and raffle finale at Green Meadows Golf Course is a great entry point — a chance to connect with the community and celebrate the veterans who've served Monroe County.
Follow CUP on Facebook and keep an eye on the Monroe News for 2027 event announcements.
Why the Fatman Triathlon Is a Model Worth Watching
The Fatman Triathlon isn't just a local feel-good story. It's a proof of concept.
It demonstrates that unconventional competition formats can drive deeper community participation than traditional athletic events. It shows that accessibility and inclusivity are fundraising advantages, not compromises. And it proves that sustained grassroots effort — built on sponsor relationships, volunteer networks, and venue partnerships — compounds over time.
Four years in, the event keeps growing. That's not luck. That's a model that works.
If you're involved in veteran support, community organizing, or nonprofit fundraising, pay attention to what CUP Community Uplift Program is building in Monroe County. It's replicable. It's scalable. And it's making a real difference for the veterans and families who need it most.
Ready to Be Part of It?
Whether you're rallying a team of coworkers, exploring sponsorship options, or simply looking for a way to give back to those who served — the Fatman Triathlon offers something for you.
Mark your calendar for spring 2027. Start building your team now. And reach out to CUP Community Uplift Program to stay in the loop:
- 📧 Email: communityupliftprogram@gmail.com
- 📘 Facebook: CUP Community Uplift Program
Monroe County's veterans showed up for all of us. Now it's our turn to show up for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fatman Triathlon?
The Fatman Triathlon is an annual fundraising event consisting of various nontraditional competition events, aimed at supporting local veterans and their families. It features activities like trap shooting, bowling, and golf at different venues in Monroe County.
When was the latest Fatman Triathlon held?
The latest Fatman Triathlon took place on May 16, 2026.
What activities are included in the Fatman Triathlon?
The activities included in the Fatman Triathlon are trap shooting at the Monroe Rod and Gun Club, bowling at Monroe Sports Center, and golf at Green Meadows Golf Course.
Who organizes the Fatman Triathlon?
The Fatman Triathlon is organized by the CUP Community Uplift Program, which aims to support local veterans and their families.
How did the 2026 event perform in terms of participation?
The 2026 Fatman Triathlon achieved a record number of participants, surpassing all previous events in terms of turnout and fundraising for local veterans.
Who were the winners of the competition events?
Winners included Art Parran and Ryan Eyler in trap shooting, Chris Roussey and Cody Hison in bowling, Kyle Hawkins and Adam Richardville in golf, and the grand champions Ben Starr and Blake Starr.
