The annual event, which marked its 20th year and took place on April 26, features a sprint triathlon that gives people the chance to compete individually or as three-person relay teams in swimming 21 lengths of the pool, biking nine miles, and running five kilometers of the cross-country course. More than 200 friendly competitors took part in the triathlon portion, including 61 individuals and 49 relay teams, while an additional 100 participants joined in on the fun by participating in the Wellness Walk.
Plenty goes into making the event the best it can be, including a handful of students who support organizer Steph Kowell, assistant athletics director for fitness and recreation. Members of the executive board create graphics and run design contests, source apparel and prizes, and work with local businesses to increase community engagement.
Josh Chase ’24, a first-time HamTrek competitor and president of this year’s executive board, said, “When I had the opportunity during my junior year to become involved in the actual planning and putting together of the event, I jumped at it. The mix of a competitive and collaborative environment is what makes HamTrek so special.
Caroline Shen ’24, another executive board member, has competed in every HamTrek since her first year at Hamilton.”
“I’ve been most surprised by the excitement and anticipation that HamTrek generates, like friends and professors forming teams and creating fun team names, and seeing people start their training journey in the pool, on the bike, or on the roads,” Shen said. “It’s not every day that you get to go head-to-head with your professor in the pool and enjoy a cookout with them afterward.”
In all, the four student executive board members, more than 50 Hamiltonians volunteers, and Kowell, who notched 34,275 HamTrek-related steps the day of the event, came together to make this year’s event successful.
“An event of this scale is not possible without the help of a huge group of volunteers,” Kowell noted. “There was a great mix of long-time volunteer veterans and plenty of new faces, especially underclass students.”
2024 HamTrek Winners
Individual Triathlon
Liam Card ’27 (men, 1:02:09); Maggie Winstead ’26 (women, 1:07:16)
Relay Triathlon
Men: Team Wiemeyer (57:18; Henry Wiemeyer ’26, Sebastian van Wanroy ’26, Vincent Manni ’26); Women: Team Shen (1:05:12; Caroline Shen ’24, Jade Matthias ’26, Madison Goodman-Leong ’26); Coed: Team Martinie (58:57; Language Center Coordinator and ALEX Technologist Rachel Martinie, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Ryan Martinie, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Michael Welsh)
Triathlon – Spin Division
Introduced in 2023, this division enables participants who don’t have or can’t find a bike for the road-biking portion of the event to use a stationary spin bike.
- Individual: Will Campbell ’27 (men); Marissa Duffy ’25 (women)
- Relay: Men: Team Porter (Jason Porter ’26, Hunter Allen ’25, Hao Shen ’25); Women: Team Cofone (Gianna Cofone ’27, Carolyn Miner ’27, Jackie Story ’27); Coed: Team Grimm (Aidan Grimm ’27, Abigail Lowder ’25, Isabella Ocava ’25)
