About Us

In 1986, Steve Stonecipher-Fisher opened Tryathletics’ doors at the corner of 4th and Broadway in the Flat Branch Creek area of Columbia. Steve moved Tryathletics to the present building, at 1605 Chapel Hill Rd. in 1997, to provide larger floor space, better parking an easier to reach location and quick access to the MKT Trail.

"We want to give everyone the most knowledgeable service" says Steve, so he has an array of local athletes working for him. From runners to bikers and swimmers the people at Tryathletics know and use what they sell. Tryathletics is very active in sponsoring and supporting pretty much any running, walking, biking and swimming event in Columbia.  Tryathletics also sponsors and is active in the Columbia Track Club. You will find friendly and experienced people to take care of all your needs at Tryathletics.

*Meet the Staff

Nate – Sales associate/Beard grower

Nate hails from the "Ice Cream Capital of the World", LeMars, Iowa and is easy to spot at the store thanks to his exceptionally long beard. And although he won't brag about it, Nate's triathlon resume is almost as long as his facial hair. With four Ironmans and a USATF Long Course National Championship to his credit, Nate knows what it takes to succeed in the sport.

Nate's love of triathlon is legendary. He is a committed bike commuter and has acquired quite a collection of two-wheel machines over the years. He has so many bikes, in fact, that he's actually lost count of how many he owns. Somewhere in the 15 to 20 bike range is his best guess. His running shoes have taken him to seven marathon finishes including the historic Boston Marathon. His future goal is to be the first Ironman finisher to do the entire race in a Teletubby costume.

Patrick – Sales associate/shoe guru

Patrick Hanson, who has been with the Tryathletics family for seven years brings his experience as a competitive runner and as a coach to the sales floor.

Patrick competed in track and cross country at William Jewell College and now runs for Tryathletics and the Columbia Track Club. He has competed in major U.S. championship races as well as local and regional events. By winning the Heart of America Marathon at age 20 in 2005, Patrick became one of the youngest champions in the history of the event. He is a former assistant coach at William Woods and enjoys sharing running advice with his customers and fellow track club members as a member of the CTC Board of directors.

Known by several customers as the "Shoe Whisperer", Patrick has spoken on the topic of running shoes at many events, including the Rusk Lectureship on Sports Rehabilitation at the University of Missouri Medical School.

Sam – Cool Guy

Sam got his start riding bikes shortly after the track program at Missouri State University, where he was a hurdler, was cut. In search of a new sport, Sam decided to turn his attention from hurdling barriers on the running track to hurdling himself down singletrack trails on his trusty Kona mountain bike. Since joining the Tryathletics team in the summer of 2008, his strength on the bike has become legendary and his repair wizardry has satisfied many a customer.

Sam graduated from Mizzou with his Bachelor's in Civil Engineering. He also now works for the City of Columbia in the Public Works department doing various bike related projects around town. He can build a bike from a pile of parts, sell the bike to you, design a path for you to ride on, and supervise its construction.

Sam's short term goals include running a marathon and learning how to ride a unicycle while juggling. If you come in while Sam is working, you may also be lucky enough to meet his best friend Friday, his ever helpful 100 pound canine sidekick.

Phil - Sales Associate/Wonder Boy

Phil is smart...really smart. He will be graduating with a bio-chemistry degree from MU in Spring 2011 and heading to Med School to become a doctor after that. That's right, a doctor. In his spare time Phil heats up the track running the 5k and 10k for MU. He also likes to help the Tryathletics faithful with running shoes and other items. Being such a quick learner he has caught on fast with the bikes. Basically, Phil does it all...