For many average high school students, speed is only comparable through the single mile run. Tired and breathless, we brag to our friends about finishing under seven minutes. For sophomore Andrew Clusserath, however, running a mile is just one tiny piece of the puzzle.

This unique hobby stems from a family interest in the competition. “I tried my first triathlon in the summer of seventh grade. My mom and sister were running it, so I thought I’d maybe try it out.”

Clusserath now regularly runs triathlons, which put together various distances of swimming, biking, and running. These vigorous athletic events require both extensive training and pushing yourself to actually achieve this tremendous feat.

“I run mostly and swim mostly, but running is really the most I train for. I also bike a little bit.” says Clusserath.

The distances on triathlons range greatly depending on the type of triathlon; a sprint consists of a nearly half-mile swim, a twelve mile bike ride, and is topped off  with a 3.1 mile run. The mileage on each category increases as the participant moves up the levels, going from Olympic to half-Ironman and finally to the Ironman Triathlon. Ironman triathletes need to be in incredible shape to complete the 2.4 mile swim, the 112 mile bike ride, and ending in a full marathon.

Clusserath is quite accomplished in this field, as he is sponsored by Smith, a sunglass company, as well as De Soto, a clothing company that designs high performance gear for triathletes.

He says he is looking forward to doing more triathlons over the summer, running in a competition in Santa Cruz as well as several others.