The Mullica Hill Women’s Triathlon Club is celebrating its 10th year connecting women to personal health goals and each other.
The MHWTC believes that triathlon transforms lives and strengthens communities. Their mission is simple: to empower women through the sport of triathlon (swim-bike-run) and make our community a better place to work, play and live. From that mission, their members have created long-lasting friendships, increased their fitness levels and had a lot of fun in the process.
What makes the MHWTC unique from other groups are the opportunities the club provides to learn how, or to get better, at participating in the sport. Starting with their Kickoff Night on Feb. 11 at 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Auletto Caterer’s in Deptford Township. This meeting, open to the public, of more than 400 women, club members and “newbies”, is the start of many women’s introduction to the sport. Followed with a newbie meeting in March, “mock (practice) triathlons”, group swimming, biking and running practices paired with fun social outings. Each new member is assigned a mentor to help and encourage them along their unique journey. Member’s fitness levels range from” just off the couch” to “completed an IRONMAN”; member ages range from 7 to 77 and live in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware.
Club President, Colleen Fossett founded MHWTC along with a small group of friends (Lydia DelRosso, Maureen Brigham and Michelle Powell) and has now grown to become the Northeast’s largest women-only Triathlon Club. “This high level of participation, member accomplishments and empowerment our members experience every year was something we didn’t anticipate when we started the club 10 years ago”, says Fossett. Tri Club Founder, Michelle Powell adds, ”This club isn’t about competition with each other. The members lift each other up to help them reach their own personal goals whatever they may be.”
This 501(c)(3) organization raises money to host their own events including: Kickoff Meeting, Ride the Farm Cycling series which supports local farms and farmers, their own 5K run, custom tri suits and apparel and their own triathlon called Queen of the Hill, a female-only sprint triathlon in the summer. Additionally, they provide annual scholarships to two local high schools and presentations on bike safety to the local community.
The club has accomplished much more than fundraising just for themselves in the past nine years. They have raised a significant amount of money for Autism Spectrum Disorder, the Ovarian Cancer Foundation, the Melanoma International Foundation, Bring Change to Mind and Athletes with Disabilities and local charities as well.
The Annual kickoff meeting at Auletto Caterer’s on Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. is open to the public free-of-charge. Anyone interested in attending can show up and find out more about the sport and the club. No commitments are needed that night. Over 120 donated baskets and race entries will be raffled off as well. Bring a friend.
To learn more about the MHWTC, visit www.mullicahilltriclub.com.
