Epic Races launches a new twist on triathlon to keep participants alone together

May 20, 2020

MIND • BODY • TRI brings together Community, Fitness and Outdoors

ANN ARBOR, MI – In response to stay at home orders, people are encouraged to exercise, spend time outdoors, and stay connected to their community.  Multisport and endurance event company, Epic Races is in the business of providing events that do just that, but with social distancing, they have had to cancel all of their events through June and are not sure about the fate of events in July and beyond.

Events that involve mass gatherings, such as multisport and endurance events, are expected to be among the last to return even while many businesses are reopening. In an effort to stay in business while helping the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ann Arbor based Epic Races created the Mind Body Tri.

“I wanted to create a virtual event that could feel as real as possible,” says Epic Races’ CEO, Eva Solomon. “A traditional triathlon consists of swimming, biking, and running.  Those three disciplines would be challenging to do as a group online so we put a twist on it and created a triathlon event that consists of yoga, running, and meditation. We have found that swapping the swimming and cycling for some stretching and spirituality has been a welcome addition during this strange and uncomfortable time we are all experiencing.”

This event has been running weekly since May 1 and $5 from each entry is donated to Food Gatherers. Food Gatherers exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in our community.

Epic Races has raised $3,141 to date, providing 9,423 meals to the community.

Health and wellness coach, Lisa Hesse, leads the yoga and meditation. “I’m grateful to have partnered with Eva and Epic Races over the years. I’m particularly excited to offer an event that amplifies strength, resilience, mindfulness, and builds a virtual community in the midst of these uncertain times.”

Participation in Mind Body Tri has exceeded the organizers’ expectations. “When we launched this event, we expected that we would have a small group who have previously participated in our events, but it has been so much more than that. We have had participants from all over the country and international as well. “It has been a great way for friends and family who are separated by COVID to be able to do an activity together, feel like it has just been good all around,” said Solomon.

When asked if she enjoyed the event, Cherr Hester of Springfield, VA replied, “It was an excellent opportunity to engage in personal fitness with a wonderful community during the current pandemic. Professional instructors, well-organized, physically challenging, rewarding; and most importantly, a lot of fun!”

The fourth and final Mind Body Tri event is going to be held on Saturday, May 30 at 9:00am. Details and registration are at www.epicraces.com.

About Epic Races

Epic Races is a multisport race management company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The mission of Epic Races is to professionally manage safe, fun, and rewarding multi-sport and endurance events that appeal to beginner through elite athletes, raise money and awareness for important causes, and make each participant feel like a champion.