At Dassel-Cokato High School, students can challenge themselves uniquely by training for and participating in a full triathlon as part of a specialized course. The class, offered every other year, empowers students of all abilities to set goals, push their limits, and experience the satisfaction of completing a demanding endurance event.

The triathlon covers about 26 miles in total and includes a quarter-mile swim in the school pool, a 20-plus mile bike ride through the scenic countryside between Dassel and Cokato, and a final 6-mile run that finishes on the school’s track where friends and family are there to cheer with Gatorade, wooden medals, and hugs.

This isn’t just an extracurricular activity, it’s a for-credit course, specifically counting as a special education credit. For three months, students train under the guidance of teachers Amanda Berg and Brooks Helget. According to the instructors, very few schools offer such a program as a formal class. In most places, triathlon training is only available as an optional club.

Dassel-Cokato has offered the class for the past 15 years, originally inspired by a similar course at Brainerd Schools. That inspiration sparked efforts to create a similar experience locally, resulting in a program that continues to grow and inspire.

Only students enrolled in the class are eligible to compete in the triathlon itself, but the larger community plays a big role in making the event a success. Even students not in the class, along with staff and community members, contribute their time and energy to ensure the race can happen.

For many students, crossing the finish line isn’t just about fitness, it’s about discovering strength they didn’t know they had.