Athletes of All Levels Compete in the 2024 U of O Homecoming Races
Family Memories are Made During Homecoming Weekend
This year, on July 20, the 46th University of Okoboji Homecoming Races will be showcasing athletes of all levels, as they compete in a variety of races around beautiful West Lake Okoboji.
“The U of O Homecoming Races are so much fun because athletes of all levels, ages and locations can come together to compete in various events around the Iowa Great Lakes and University of Okoboji Campus,” said Iowa Great Lakes Chamber Director of Marketing and Events Kiley Zankowski. “The races have created such a rich history since 1978, generating long family traditions and attracting runners to this race.”
With various races taking place all at once, the U of O races offer unique opportunities for an entire friend or family group to get together and compete no matter what their skill or interest may be.
“Families are able to cheer on those that are competing whether it’s in an individual or team triathlon, half marathon, 10k or 5k,” Kiley added. “Our finish line experience and racecourse, in general, also provides a unique aspect.”
One of the best parts about these races are participants get to experience a lakeside race and finish down the beautiful Promenade, where they are then welcomed with live music and the Farmer’s Market. After the events, they can later join their families at Arnolds Park Amusement Park or spend the day at the beach.
Registration history has ranged from between 600 and 800 participants. In 2023, the U of O Homecoming Races had over 1,000 participants.
“Each year, we have participants come from all across the country and even the globe. Last year, we had 21 states represented and three countries,” Kiley shared. “So far, we have over 600 people registered from 21 states across the United States.”
The U of O Races are an event now put on by the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber. Proceeds from the race go back to the IGLA Chamber, whose mission is to promote the business, civic, tourism and agricultural interests of area members and residents, as well as further the development and protection of area resources. Proceeds are used to pay volunteer groups who assist with the races.
Kiley said the race takes a village to complete, “From start lines and awards to water stations and set up, we lean on over 70 individuals.”
Groups that assist with the big day include the Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis, who help with triathlon bike rack set up; Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber Commodores, who help with awards, finish line hydration, registration and start liens; and the Spirit Lake and Okoboji track teams, who assist with setting up of cones on the roads and man water stations along the route. The IGLA also relies heavily on the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire & Rescue for emergency assistance for all races and water assistance for the triathlon. Arnolds Park Amusement Park also assists with the set-up of the races.
Despite there no longer being a U of O marathon option, Kiley loves how the races attract elite runners. “Each year, the top male and female of the 10k, half marathon and triathlon are paid winnings for their races,” she explained. “This has attracted professional, collegiate and event Olympic runners from across the United States.”
Best of all, the U of O Homecoming Races bring in individuals and their families from across the nation to continue a fun family tradition that takes place year after year.
“Some racers have never been to the Iowa Great Lakes before, and it’s a great excuse for their family to make a week or weekend getaway to experience all that the Iowa Great Lakes has to offer,” Kiley said.
For more information on the University of Okoboji Homecoming races, visit University of Okoboji Homecoming Races – Okoboji Chamber.
Talented Local Competitors
For two local University of Okoboji Homecoming Race participants, they both say half the excitement of competing is the joy of being able to train and compete with family and friends.
Dr. Andy Mueting started running in the U of O 10k, about 15 years ago with his brother Nate and his father Joe. He has competed in eight different U of O races since, including the 5k, 10k, and the triathlon.
“Training for longer races can be time-consuming, so the rewarding part of racing with family is the fact that your training time is with family too,” he shared. “It’s also helpful to have an accountability partner, and you get to support each other throughout the training process and on race day.”
In the spring, Andy creates a training schedule dependent on the type of race he will compete in. When specifically training for the triathlon, he follows a training schedule involving biking, running, and swimming, to develop the stamina and endurance needed to successfully compete in the competition on race day.
It isn’t necessarily easy to train in Iowa weather, so he typically begins his training indoors with a bike trainer and swims in the lap pool at the Bedell Family YMCA.
“However, swimming in the open water is challenging and much different than swimming in a pool,” Andy explained. “As soon as I can tolerate the temperature of the Lakes, I take my swim training to West Lake or Big Spirit, in order to prepare effectively.”
He also utilizes the Iowa Great Lakes Trails to bike outside as soon as possible.
He enjoys the training process, setting a goal and getting to experience the races with friends and family. “It’s always more fun when you have someone else along for the ride,” he said. He’s trained and competed with friends, siblings, his dad and now his kids.
In 2023, he had the opportunity to participate in the 5k with his daughter, Marie. “She has cheered me on for years, so it was fulfilling to run and cross the finish line with her,” Andy added. “It has become a sort of yearly event for our family.” His son Bennett will join him in this year’s U of O 5k race.
On race day, Andy enjoys competing with a wide range of competitors. During the competition, he also loves the support experienced along the race routes. “The support you get while competing is encouraging, especially when you see community members and organizations volunteering their time and talents to ensure the event is run smoothly and the safety throughout the weekend is incredible.”
After being a part of the U of O Homecoming Weekend for many years, he finds it special to see how much the event has grown.
“A highlight is seeing how packed Preservation Plaza becomes with supporters, participants, and volunteers making the finish line loud and rewarding to cross,” he shared.
Making Lifelong Memories
During Taylor Huseman’s first summer in Okoboji, he was working at the Three Sons and the Okoboji Expedition bike shop. It was 2012, the year before his sophomore year at University of South Dakota, where he was a cross country and track athlete. It wasn’t unusual to find him out on his bike or running the local trails.
“I thought, ‘maybe it’d be fun to jump in the Tri with Paula (Richter) and other people I rode bike with frequently,” Taylor thought. “Despite having a pool in the backyard growing up, I am a terrible swimmer. So, I survived the swim and then ended up winning the race.”
Since 2012, Taylor has raced in the triathlon eight different times, plus one team triathlon, and last year, he pushed his young daughters in the stroller for the 10k. His wife Olivia has competed in the half marathon twice, 10k four times, has won the team tri and last year won the 5k.
“The U of O races are unique to me because you’re surrounded by your community of athletes – the people I often see out running, the customers that come to the shop (The Okoboji Cyclist), and my family,” Taylor said. “The races are also special because they take place right in the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes during the prime of summer – the excitement and energy are palpable and just fun to be a part of.”
Taylor has had the opportunity to compete in races all over the world in numerous different places, but one reason he finds the U of O races to be extra special is where they are located. He said there’s something about swimming in “clean water” that makes it a lot more enjoyable.
“What really makes the triathlon special is honestly the lake and its clarity,” he shared. “I have raced in plenty of bodies of water where I couldn’t see my arms during the swim.”
The training process varies for all athletes and different factors can affect a person’s training, such as time available, access to equipment and even weather. He said there’s never a “one size fits all” for training.
“For me, I choose to focus my training on my strengths – running and cycling,” Taylor said. “These are my favorites, and I’ve found that the amount of advantage I can have when those parts are at their prime is better than spending extra time swimming.”
His fastest swim time was actually two years ago, when he only got in the Lake once before race day. However, he makes sure to get on his bike nearly every day, usually before 6 a.m. Then if he has time, he’ll go for a group bike ride after work or take his daughters out for a stroller ride.
“With younger kiddos at home now, and other various responsibilities, I haven’t been able to really ‘train’ for some time,” he shared. “While I do greatly miss it, I have started to come to terms with riding my bike for fun rather than always wanting to race.”
Despite racing all over the world, his favorite part is coming back to the Iowa Great Lakes area and enjoying the support of family and friends. “It’s way more fun when you have family and friends there to enjoy the race, cheer you on and then we can hash out the outcome afterwards,” he said.
His most exciting U of O race was when he also proposed to his future wife, Olivia. In a complete surprise and the involvement of countless family and friends, he pulled off a wedding proposal she least expected.
“Olivia grew up in Milford and truly loves Okoboji, especially running along Lakeshore Drive. The first time she actually ever saw me was when I was competing in my first tri here (she loves to tell that she hid behind a tree when I ran by, because she thought I was so handsome – her words not mine!),” he said with a laugh. “So, I knew I wanted to propose that summer, especially when we both had friends and family coming in for race weekend.”
On that special morning, Taylor raced the tri at 8 a.m. and was done an hour later. Olivia was racing the 10k at 9 a.m., so he had everyone waiting at the finish line holding signs. Taylor said she had no idea it was coming.
“She said she actually had to give herself a mental pep talk near Fillenwarth Beach Resort (about a mile from the finish), because she hadn’t seen anyone out on the race course cheering her on,” he shared. “Well, when she rounded the corner onto Lake Street for the finish, a roar from the crowd caught her attention, and one of my buddies yelled, ‘Olivia, read the signs!’”
Taylor had his brother, Olivia’s brother and two friends holding signs that together read “Olivia Grace, Will You Marry Me?” He was waiting at the finish line with “Me?”
“It was so cool, and most importantly, she said YES!’ he exclaimed. Due to Olivia’s graduate school schedule, after the race in July, the couple quickly pulled the wedding plans together and were married 11 weeks later at Bridges Bay Resort – complete with Taco House, Nutty Bars, a Queen II ride and Spudnutz.
Spectators continue to watch the Huseman family compete in the U of O races. Last year, Olivia won the 5k, while Taylor participated in the 10k. They are making it a family affair, as he raced the event while pushing their two daughters in the stroller.
“We have two girls now, ages 4 and 2. While it definitely makes training and race morning much more complicated, it is pretty fun to see how excited they get during a race too,” Taylor added. “Plus, while I have the world record for stroller racing in the mile, I'm definitely not training for it in longer races!”
Make sure to join Dr. Mueting and Taylor and their families in the upcoming 46th U of O Homecoming Races. It’s the perfect day for competitors of all ages and levels to enjoy the beauty of the U of O campus. If running isn’t for you, then find a place along the route to cheer them on! It will make their day!
