PUSH triathlon gets Black people outside and active

While participation in triathlons across the United States is generally low, the number of non-white athletes is even smaller. Some data over the past few years suggests that less than 1% of triathletes are Black.

Several factors contribute to this lack of diversity, including historical exclusion from public biking, swimming and running spaces, the costs of training in the three disciplines, and a lack of belonging.

Connie Sheehan, owner of PUSH Fitness in St. Paul, launched her triathlon six years ago and has since seen a steady increase in participants and sponsors for the annual gathering at Lilydale Pool & Yacht Club.

“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,” Sheehan said. “It is so rare to find a place where they are welcomed and they can just come in and do their thing. That’s why I still do it, because 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.”

A value pillar of the PUSH Fitness triathlon is physical accessibility. “[There are] brand new swimmers who hadn’t been swimming before. One person needs assistance walking, but she can swim, right? I want them to know there are things that we can do to move our body to stay healthy,” Sheehan said.

Most participants compete in relay teams, with each of the three members taking on swimming, biking, or running.

Shortly after the 6 a.m. start, as the sun rose, Natasha Pugh of Minneapolis’ Bryn Mawr neighborhood waited for her teammate to finish the 600-yard swim. Pugh explained what brought her to the event.

“I found out about this through Biking with Baddies, which is an organization that I biked with recreationally,” she said. “I knew that I could bike a little bit, but I wanted to challenge myself. This felt like a good intro to triathlons. There’s varying abilities here, and I felt like this is a really great way for me to get into it.”

This year’s triathlon had 11 sponsors, including the Healing Justice Foundation, which helped nearly 100 participants of color join, including Pugh.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day,” Pugh said. “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. I’ve been training for the last couple of months.”

Sainab Sahal of Golden Valley, a returning participant, arrived before dawn to test her fitness in community with others committed to health. “What drew me to the triathlon was the opportunity to challenge myself, commit to disciplined training, and push past my limits,” Sahal said. 

“As an athlete who loves a variety of sports and getting involved with groups like Melanin in Motion and their slow roll bike rides, I saw the triathlon as a chance for personal growth and connecting with community. Hearing stories of local advocates like Connie Sheehan and being part of community celebrations inspired me to take on what once felt impossible and turn it into an achievement,” said Sahal.

Families also joined the event. Jasmine Boudah of North Minneapolis brought her daughter to watch as she prepared to run.

“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,” Boudah said.

The Bailey family of Fargo, North Dakota, participated as a relay team, joined by their family puppy. “We are here to support and participate in the PUSH triathlon as a relay team,” said David Bailey, who cheered on his wife, sister, and 16-year-old daughter Simone.

Simone, competing for the third year and running for the first time, said the event carries special meaning. “It shows that Black women and Black people can be outside and do activities just like this whenever they want,” she said.

Ebony Templeton, who lives near Bde Maka Ska, echoed the sentiment. “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,” Templeton said. “This is self care. That’s why I’m here.”

Lead volunteer Njia Lawrence-Porter reported that participants ranged in age from 17 to 70, many completing their first triathlon.

After finishing her race, Sahal reflected on the morning’s challenge. “The triathlon was both challenging and rewarding,” she said. 

“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. I don’t know the results yet, but after finishing, I just feel proud to have participated and showed up for myself.”

To learn more about PUSH Fitness and its annual triathlon, visit their website: https://pushfitnessforyou.com/triathlon/.

Binta Kanteh welcomes reader responses at bkanteh@spokesman-recorder.com.