Kirksville shapes up

Swim. Bike. Run. For Fun.

That's the motto for Kirksville Multisport.

Of the many organizations in the Kirksville area, few have stated their objective so clearly and simply. No frills.

Composed of residents from the Kirksville and Adair County area, Kirksville Multisport is a fitness organization in which members participate in exercise activities while learning, competing and simply meeting new people.

The organization supports its members, regardless of their skill, stamina or cause.

Kirksville Multisport organizer Allen Goans said he follows the group's motto by supporting socialization just as much as staying in shape and competing.

"The big thought process behind it was a way for people to come together in smaller groups to meet people, train with them, socialize and learn from each other," Goans said. "We have some people that travel to compete in races, and we have some people that just got into it to exercise and get fit and like to be around people that are motivating them to continue."

For those looking for a competitive edge in training, Kirksville Multisport offers its competitions in which participants earn points and cap off the year with a club championship. In addition to local events, the group travels to places like Columbia or La Plata for events or for a change of scenery.

 The group welcomes members of all ages. The organization's participants include Truman students, faculty, alumni and even administration, as well as other people throughout the Kirksville area.

"Some of the people who have been interested have been faculty, so they spread the word, and we have some students too," officer Janis Keough said. "I'm on the local alumni chapter board, so I've spread the word there to the alumni, and they participated in a marathon that we sponsored this past July."

Kirksville Multisport gathers the most attention and support from curious passersby when its members are in the field, exercising and competing.

"I think the biggest draw is Race Day," member Brooke Goans said. "A handful of us show up in our yellow jerseys, and people are just kind of curious. They will either come up and ask us, or they will Google the organization later."

The yellow jerseys signify the members' ability to stand out in their community by helping other members exercise or simply by having fun. Member and officer Bob Keough described the start of a race or exercise event as "a blaze of yellow."