Saturday, May 1 marked the return of one of the Hamilton traditions that I have come to truly appreciate: HamTrek. Following a nasty week of weather, the initial cloudy skies and morning chill that welcomed the first batch of eager competitors parted to welcome a day full of all of the hallmarks of a spring Saturday on the hill. With the right blend of competitive spirit, mud, and mutual encouragement, even those who may have stayed up too late the night before eagerly welcomed the challenge of the annual sprint triathlon. Any HamTrek veteran would notice that things looked a little different this year: with masked racers physically spread out and staggered heats of eight teams, one could unfortunately not forget all of the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has required. Despite any superficial differences, a wonderful mix of solo participants and relay teams (94 entrants in total) stepped up to the diving platforms, the pedals, and the starting line on what was a truly memorable event.
This was my first time participating in HamTrek. Perhaps a little timid, I had only cheered along out of a Dunham window during my first year on campus, but with the cancellation of last year’s race, this was my first time in the race itself. I was tasked with the 5K run section of the course, as my teammate opted to tackle both the swim and the bike portions. With my teammate out on the course, I was able to spend some time in the transition area and in the thick of the race, and I was able to pick up on what I think makes Hamtrek so great.
HamTrek is such a wonderful event because it mixes genuine competitiveness with an all-inclusive dedication to everyone just having a good time. The Hamilton community teems with those committed to fitness; it’s no surprise that there is always so much interest and talent in the field. However, for all of the great displays of athleticism, it is the idiosyncrasies that cement HamTrek as a wonderful representation of the Hamilton experience. Endearing in its little course-specific quirks — the slightly awkward run from the Bristol Pool to Dunham parking lot between legs, the spectrum of experience, the Outing Club’s mountain bikes being used for road racing — the race Through these facets runs a genuine spirit of participation. Students from all types of teams, organizations, and corners of campus, as well as faculty and even community members showed up to try their hand at the triathlon or simply support one another, pointing the way on the cross country trail or filling the air with the ring of a cowbell. This year, though the large clock loomed at the finish line, individual times were not tallied. As such, motivation was largely intrinsic. Though some small-scale rivalries likely sprung up as those within looked to best one another, the ultimate goal was participation, completion, and contribution to the Hamilton community.
This year’s HamTrek also functioned as a looking-glass for what the upcoming fall might look like on the campus. We will likely see a more familiar schedule of activities and events. From energetic crowds at weekend sporting events to the chaotic spirit of a more normal orientation program, there is plenty of room for optimism. HamTrek reminded me of how wonderful all-campus events can be. With luck, that feeling will not feel so foreign a few months from now.
