Southeast residence life helps students relieve finals stress

With finals approaching at Southeast Missouri State University, the Office of Residence Life is giving students a chance to blow off some steam by hosting the Blow-Off Biathlon.

The race will take place on May 5, and will consist of a three-mile run and a 12-mile bike ride through Cape Girardeau. Participants will receive a T-shirt upon entry and have a chance to compete for a medal.

"If you've ever been on the fence about trying one of these crazy multi-sports, like a triathlon or a duathlon, then this one is just a good one to do," said Eric Redinger, assistant director of outdoor adventure and facilities at Recreation Services. "It's a local course, a local race. Very inexpensive, especially for students."

The Blow-Off Biathlon can be done singularly or as a team. If students decide to pair up, one individual must run and the other must finish the race on his or her bike.

"I'm hoping we can get about 50 participants or more and give all of our T-shirts away and order more," Redinger said. "The shirts are a red dry-fit material that has a cool design, and we have a one-of-a-kind award from local artist Matt Miller, who is a school teacher in Scott City and was a Southeast graduate."

The course will start at the Student Recreation Center-North under the bridge that crosses over New Madrid Street and go along North Sprigg Street to Lexington Avenue then back to the bridge. The course will be a mixture of hills and flat roads. If participants want to look at a more detailed map then they can go to

This is the running route for the biathlon.

usatf.org and search for "Blow-Off Biathlon."

"Medals will be for age group and overall winners, male and female," Redinger said. "I'm hoping we can give medals three deep to each age-group winners, but I'm not sure yet."

Pre-registration will run though May 4. Students signing up must present a valid Southeast ID and will be charged $15 while non-Southeast students will be charged $20. Race day registration will run from 7:30-8:30 a.m., with an additional $5 charge to anyone signing up that morning.

"We wanted to figure out a way, right before finals, to blow off some steam," Redinger said. "It's a fun and challenging event that will also test the participants, and what perfect way would it be to have a race that is cheap for everyone. You really can't find another race that's inexpensive like this one."

The money raised will be donated to Southeast's Autism Center for Diagnosis and Treatment to support children in the area diagnosed with autism.

"Anything above and beyond our own cost for the event will go to the Southeast Autism Center on campus," Redinger said.

To register for the Blow-Off Biathlon and look at the basic course map, go to semo.edu. Redinger can be contacted for information at eredinger@semo.edu or 573-651-2417.