Oregon State University will welcome over 400 athletes to campus this Saturday for the Beaver Freezer Triathlon and Duathlon, one of the Pacific Northwest’s longest-running and largest student-organized multisport races.

Now in its 26th year, the Beaver Freezer is organized and operated by the OSU Triathlon Club, with support from OSU Rec Sports and Best in the West Events, a company founded by club alums. The event includes triathlon and duathlon formats and is open to all experience levels, from first-time participants to veteran racers.

With its mix of newcomers and experienced athletes, community support, and entirely student-run operations, the Beaver Freezer remains a signature spring event at Oregon State University.

Preparation for the race spans months and is led almost entirely by student coordinators. 

“A small group of us are coordinators and manage most of the things that need to happen leading up to the race,” Ryan Bell said, a third-year electrical and computer engineering major and club member. “Other members fill in volunteer positions on the day of the race and in the days leading up to help everything get set up.”

According to Bell, student organizers are responsible for logistics such as ordering supplies, organizing sponsors, managing volunteers, and communicating with participants. The club works with university advisors to secure permits and with Best in the West Events to provide official timing services. Volunteers fill all other roles.

“Everyone that helps out is a volunteer,” Bell said. “No one is getting paid to be there. We provide t-shirts and lunch to the volunteers as a thank you.”

The Beaver Freezer is the club’s primary fundraiser for the year. Proceeds help cover the costs of summer race entries, travel to Nationals and regional races, and discounts on gear for club members.

On race day, 26th Street in front of Dixon Recreation Center will be closed to traffic to make room for bike racks, athlete transition areas, and volunteer stations. The finish line will be set up near Student Legacy Park, and spectators can view athletes as they bike on a course northwest of campus and run throughout the OSU campus.

The triathlon consists of a swim in Dixon’s indoor pool and an outdoor bike and run. The course is designed to be accessible to beginners, with a shorter distance and familiar terrain.

“I think this tends to be a lot of people’s first triathlon, and it’s a relatively easy course,” Bell noted. “We also see people who’ve done the Freezer for many years, including some who’ve participated annually since the event began.”

The event continues to accept volunteers, and they will receive a free lunch and event t-shirt, and support roles range from course setup to athlete support and race-day logistics.