Continuing the CSB+SJU tradition of Fruit at the Finish

What started as a creative way to promote healthy living at CSB+SJU has grown into an over 30-year-long tradition built on community and competition.

Originally created in 1995 by the Outdoor Leadership Center, the Fruit at the Finish Triathlon was designed to promote healthy lifestyles among students while encouraging them to spend time outdoors, which has become increasingly important as the years have gone by. In a campus culture that tends to revolve around busy schedules and academics, the event offers a good reason to step away from all of that, even if just for a few hours.

“We have strived to get students and community outside, create teamwork skills and give our school the resources they need to learn and grow in the outdoors,” said CSB junior Cecilia Volk, the OLC manager.

Months of coordination go into everything from safety logistics to event design while preparing for the triathlon, with initial planning for next year’s triathlon beginning days after the current triathlon ends. It’s easy to overlook those details when you’re just showing up to race or watch, but they’re a big part of what allows the event to feel so effortless.

Since its beginning, the triathlon has drawn in hundreds of participants—not just from campus, but from across the state, and from all different backgrounds. For example, students from St. Thomas, St. Olaf and the University of Minnesota made an appearance this year.

Even local businesses and community members play a role in the triathlon.

“Local shops historically have helped sponsor our event or provide things such as bike repairs pre-triathlon… [For example], 15 bottles of maple syrup are shared by John Geissler [OutdoorU Director and Abbey Land Manager] and first, second and third place ‘metals’ and a cribbage board with a peach logo were made in the wood shop,” Volk said.

For participants like CSB senior Regan Melz, the environment is what made the experience memorable.

Competing in the triathlon for the first time as a solo competitor alongside friends, she described it as both a challenge and a chance to try something new.

“[Especially] being in a post-collegiate athletics transition, we appreciated having a new thing to train for,” Melz said.

Beyond the competition, it was the setting and sense of community that stood out most to her.

“I absolutely loved the bike ride out in the countryside—it was so peaceful to just be with nature and see parts of St. Joseph I hadn’t seen before,” Melz said. “I loved jumping into my friends’ arms after crossing [the finish line] and cheering everyone in.”

For others, like returning participant Andrew Roggeman, a senior at SJU, the triathlon brings a different kind of motivation.

“This is the third time I’ve been involved in the triathlon and [I’ve] earned maple syrup each time,” he said. “This year I joined with the intention of winning that glorious maple syrup once again.”

When it came to strategy, Roggeman and the team he competed with prioritized “lean[ing] into [their] strengths.”

“We knew we had a good shot in the race because we had Brennen Close, a distance swimmer on the SJU swim team for the first leg, my somewhat decent experience bike riding and Lincoln Cochran, an impressive runner and swim team member,” Roggeman said.

Roggeman and his team ended up winning the relay.

While the competition and prizes bring people in, the impact of the triathlon goes beyond the race. The event is meant to leave participants with something long-lasting.

“We hope people leave the triathlon with a deeper understanding of the outdoor wonders at this school, a further understanding of what the OLC offers and a better sense of community, teamwork and friendship,” Volk said.

The idea evidently shows up in the way participants talk about the event. For those still unsure about signing up, there’s a pretty clear message.

“DO IT!!” Melz said.

“Just send it,” Roggeman said.