One of Emily Zimmer’s favorite things to do every year as a high school student in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was serving as a peer mentor in the Goody Triathlon. The athletes competing in the triathlon—which includes swimming, biking, and running—were students enrolled in high school special education programs from around the Green Bay area.

“Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces as they sprinted to the finish line and received their medals was priceless,” Zimmer says. “They are so proud of themselves, and it’s great to build their confidence.”

The University of Iowa health and human physiology major’s enthusiasm for the event never waned, and when she realized Iowa City didn’t have an event like the Goody Triathlon, she took action.

Zimmer created her own event—the Hawkathlon, scheduled for 1 p.m. April 24 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC)—to help people with disabilities stay active, find new relationships, and build confidence.

“I talked with my professor, Bri Swope, about my ideas,” says the third-year student. “In my classes, I have learned about the limited opportunities to exercise for people with disabilities due to different barriers and I want to empower them to be active and knock down as many barriers as possible.”

When Zimmer expressed her desire to create something similar to the Goody Triathlon in Iowa, Swope said, “Let’s do it. That is not a far-fetched dream.”

Along with internship director and coordinator of experiential learning opportunities Erin Litton, who is overseeing the event, Zimmer had enough support to cover the logistics of the event.

“They continue to be my biggest supporters and I am so thankful for their help and expertise,” says Zimmer. “Erin has connected me with Rec Services and Bri has worked with the money and finding organizations to partner or sponsor this event, because one of my main goals is for it to be free for participants.”

Work on the event began during the fall 2021 semester and ramped up significantly this spring with weekly meetings taking place since January.

Now, the Hawkathlon is less than a month from its debut.

“The Hawkathlon will consist of two groups: one group will be running or walking laps around the track at the CRWC for 30 minutes trying to get as many laps as possible while the other group is completing fitness stations such as the rowing machines, using medicine balls, completing an obstacle course, or using agility ladders,” says Zimmer. “After 30 minutes, the two groups will switch and everyone will finish with one final lap all together. The stations will have multiple adaptations to ensure everyone is able to participate no matter their ability.”

Zimmer sees the 2022 Hawkathlon as the start of an annual community event that she hopes will grow and evolve before she graduates in spring 2023.

“I really wanted to have this event in spring 2022 so I could potentially do it again next year before I am done with school,” says Zimmer.

For the participants, Zimmer says she hopes the event is less about competing against each other and more about the fun they will have and friends they will make along the way.

“A successful Hawkathlon is one where participants have fun, smile, get active, build relationships with their buddies, meet new friends, and make memories,” says Zimmer, “It is not about how fast they can run but about having fun doing it and getting active.”