Push Fitness Triathlon Finds a New Home at V3 Sports in North Minneapolis

For the first time since the race launched in the middle of the pandemic, the Push Fitness Triathlon is swapping its watery start from Lilydale Pool in St. Paul to the newer, wider 25‑yard pool at V3 Sports in North Minneapolis. Organizer Connie Miller says the change isn’t just about a bigger splash‑zone; it’s a strategic step toward making the event more inclusive.

When the triathlon first took off in 2020, Lilydale’s modest facilities were a generous gamble. Six years later, a field of roughly 100 participants had maxed out the lane space, leaving swimmers scrambling for room. “We were literally bumping into each other,” Miller recalls. V3’s Olympic‑size pool, by contrast, offers plenty of lanes and the possibility of future expansion into a full‑distance swim.

But the move isn’t about competition trophies. As Miller puts it, the race is “built around accessibility, not podiums.” Participants can tackle the entire swim‑bike‑run alone, or they can split the three legs among friends, family, or coworkers. That flexibility has proven a confidence‑builder for first‑timers who might otherwise feel intimidated by a classic triathlon format.

“Many folks say, ‘I can’t do a swim, a bike, and a run.’ My answer is simple: ‘Pick one, or two, or all three.’ Then we help them find teammates for the parts they’re not doing,” she explains. The run itself is a modest three‑mile loop that many choose to walk; Miller encourages anyone who’s nervous about distance to sign up anyway.

Financial barriers are also being tackled head‑on. This year’s race is backed by the Healing Justice Foundation, led by Dr. Joy Lewis, which has funded full‑fee scholarships for two athletes of color. The partnership with Old National Bank continues as well, and Push Fitness has pledged that at least half of the participants will be people of color—a goal it already surpassed last year.

The day of the event—Saturday, September 12, starting at 6 a.m.—will kick off with the Black National Anthem, a nod to the community‑centered spirit of the race. Spectators are invited to cheer from the sidelines, and a local food truck will serve nutritious bites to keep energy levels up.

“It really isn’t a competition,” Miller says, smiling. “It’s a community saying, ‘You got this.’ People come together to move, to support, to celebrate each other’s effort.” She adds that registration remains open, and she urges anyone unsure of their abilities to sign up anyway—because the experience, she believes, is worth the effort.

Push Fitness isn’t trying to churn out elite triathletes; it’s trying to show residents a different way to move their bodies. “Some of us swim, some bike, some run, some do all three. The point is there are lots of options,” Miller affirms.

An expanded story with comments from V3 Sports—Push Fitness’s newest collaborator—will be added next week once the venue can share its perspective.