New organizer credited for growth of Big Blue Race Series triathlon

The Utah State University triathlon – known as the Big Blue Race Series -- has grown considerably in the past two months. Twenty-one athletes registered for the event in December 2011. That number more than doubled in January 2012, with 53 people participating in the event.

Kevin Kobe, the USU campus recreation director, attributes the growth to the work of Christopher Barron, who has been running the Big Blue Race Series since August.

“It grew because of Chris,” Kobe said. “It was really successful.”

Kobe was first impressed by Barron’s work in 2009, when Barron organized the Balance Man Triathlon, a charity event hosted by the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

Barron said he thinks the event is growing as a result of the marketing strategies he has implemented. He had a website created specifically for the event, and advertised it with fliers and T-shirts worn by past athletes. He also ensured that USU employees involved in the athletic programs at Utah State were informed of the upcoming races, to make the information easily available to the student body.

“Chris is really good at marketing,” Kobe said. “It’s amazing how quickly the word gets out when he is involved.”

Since Barron has been coordinating the Big Blue Race Series, he said the event has grown not only in participants, but in other ways as well. Barron said the race has received more sponsors, more volunteers and better routes.

Barron’s not modest about his part in the success, but he said the race’s newfound success is not entirely because of his involvement.

“In general, the triathlon world is getting bigger – not just in Logan, but in the whole nation,” Barron said.

Barron is planning to continue his work at Utah State for at least three more years. His hope is to create a well-established program that will continue to grow and serve the needs of students long after he leaves.

“I’ve got a lot of ideas on the table,” Barron said. “It’s a process.”

Abbie Lewis, Adam Barkley, Amanda Morgan, Amy Nelson, Danielle Hayes and Katelyn Swain contributed to this report.