Building community beyond the water cooler<\/p>\n
In 2011, Dr. Larry Hall, the founder of BYU\u2019s Student Wellness department, debuted the \u201cLazyman Ironman\u201d after an Idaho couple visited his office and asked if he\u2019d ever heard of the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey explained that participants have the flexibility to log their miles when and where it\u2019s convenient for them. The staff and I thought it was a fantastic idea, so we gave participating students and staff the whole month of November to swim, bike, and run 140.6 miles. They were rewarded with a finisher\u2019s shirt that people went crazy for!\u201d says Dr. Hall. \u201cThe whole purpose was to encourage consistent exercise and community building.\u201d<\/p>\n
Completing a lazy tri can be an attainable goal for beginners who want a taste of triathlon, individuals who want extra motivation to workout, and even experienced athletes looking for a low-pressure challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a 10-year-old who completed it with their parents and a retired professor who is in his 80s,\u201d says Hickman, adding that the event was eventually renamed the \u201cLazy Triathlon\u201d and has been held every fall, with 483 registered participants in 2025.<\/p>\n
Professor Clark Callahan, who has participated for about a decade, enjoys sharing the journey with colleagues: \u201cThere\u2019s a core group of us who do it every year, tracking each other\u2019s progress. It\u2019s genuinely a positive bonding experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe camaraderie of working out together \u2013 and joking about who\u2019s logged the most miles \u2013 is really a highlight. We often walk from our building to the gym together so it\u2019s a good time to decompress and chat about things outside work. We\u2019ve also discovered the sauna <\/a>and go there after working out to recover,\u201d adds Professor Ed Carter, who also appreciates that the daily workouts improve his focus when he returns to the office. \u201cClear your head. Get away from the screens. You\u2019re a more productive employee after.\u201d<\/p>\n A blueprint for your own workplace triathlon challenge It\u2019s fairly easy to organize a lazy triathlon in your workplace if you keep these practical tips in mind:<\/p>\n \u201cThink about starting with a workplace survey to help you determine how much interest there is, and decide on the best distance and time of year,\u201d says Hickman, who recommends offering a 70.3-mile challenge, or shorter, for the first year. Creating an online home for the lazy tri, such as a web page on your employer\u2019s site or a Facebook page that includes a section for registration (and possible payment for finisher shirts), is also a must.<\/p>\n Registration fees might be just as intimidating as the distance for a tri newbie, so don\u2019t charge for the event itself. Do include a downloadable tracking sheet on the event page. Participants can complete as much or as little as they want each day, logging their progress on an honor system. They can also workout where and when they feel comfortable, including the community track, rail trail, a backyard pool, the treadmill or spin bike at a fitness center, or even their own driveway (provided that they know the exact distance).<\/p>\n \u201cPeople come in throughout the month, wanting me to take a photo of them with their tracking sheet and shirt!\u201d says Hickman, who gives finisher shirts to anyone who submits their completed tracking sheets in person or via email. \u201cAnd those who finish the Lazy Triathlon in one week get a special Tri Hard hat along with their shirt.\u201d<\/p>\n Making triathlon fun (and accessible) for coworkers<\/p>\n While organizing a lazy tri isn\u2019t complicated, it can be frustrating if others are too intimidated to register.<\/p>\n \u201cBe excited!\u201d says Hickman about how to have a conversation about the lazy triathlon with coworkers. \u201cGo the extra mile and offer to take a spin class with them at lunch. Invite people to walk a mile with you every day or bike with you on the weekends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe key is identifying who\u2019s already interested in being healthy and active, and inviting them first,\u201d says Callahan. If your employer has offices or remote workers in other locations, including them in the challenge can create unity across the distance. \u201cOnce you have that core community, it\u2019s much easier to extend the invitation to others who may not be as health-conscious or confident. The fun and camaraderie become the selling points.\u201d<\/p>\n Carter, who participated in his first Lazy Triathlon in 2021 after being invited by colleagues, recommends talking up the lazy tri, even after the start date. \u201cThis last year, I talked to other colleagues and had around seven participants from the beginning. One colleague finally joined in at the end of the month. The last day, he had to swim for a couple hours. We went down to cheer him on and he finished.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2025, BYU\u2019s Lazy Triathlon was open to students, staff, their families, and the public. There were family members in Ohio, Michigan, and even Canada who participated,\u201d says Hickman, adding that since some people feel more comfortable working out with others, inclusivity is prioritized. Participants are also encouraged to modify their workouts when necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they can\u2019t run, they can walk. One athlete had a cast on her hand and couldn\u2019t swim so she took barre. If a participant is unable to do certain parts of the triathlon, time spent in a fitness class, or on a rowing machine or elliptical trainer counts,\u201d says Hickman. \u201cBe flexible about what the three \u2018sports\u2019 are and the time frame. I\u2019ve had participants ask if they can finish in November, after midterms. That\u2019s fine! After all, this challenge is about building healthy habits.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, one of the benefits of this health journey has been losing 20 pounds. I feel motivated to remain active and healthy, and that makes me a more productive contributor in my job,\u201d Carter says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Lazy Triathlon encouraged me to complete a half marathon, which I probably wouldn\u2019t have done without the motivation and foundational experience of the workplace tri,\u201d adds Callahan. \u201cIt\u2019s a great bonding activity and the month-long format makes it accessible for people who are older<\/a> or who have physical limitations (like my bad knees). The extended timeframe allows participants to pace themselves instead of overexerting their bodies. Overall, the benefits are significant: improved physical health and mental well-being, and stronger workplace relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Published January 13, 2026 06:00AM Ever wanted to share your love of triathlon in your workplace? 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\n![\"Brigham](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/How-to-build-a-triathlon-corporate-challenge.png\"\/)
Brigham Young University\u2019s \u201cLazy Triathlon\u201d offers a blueprint for how to start a corporate challenge in your workplace. (Photo: Courtesy of H. Hickman)<\/p>\n