About Us

FAST is a Southeast Michigan based non-profit group of athletes who participate in swimming and triathlons for recreation, health, fitness, and competition. We have members with diverse abilities, experience, and motivation ranging from recreational swimmers to veterans of Ironman distance triathlons.

FAST was formed in 1984 by a small group of swimmers at Ford Motor Co. who got together to train and compete in local Masters swim meets. Within two years the Club expanded its horizons to include the fast growing sport of triathlon. Membership has swelled each year to its current level of about 200. FAST members can be found throughout and beyond Southeast Michigan (see breakdown by city here).

Our two major focuses are broken down: September to March – swimming; April to August – triathlons.
However, they overlap so much that we get members who train all year round for both swimming and/or triathlons.

FAST organizes swim practice sessions throughout the year, always well attended by expert and novice swimmers alike. FAST swimmers can frequently be found competing at local Masters swim meets as well. The club is actively involved in triathlon competition throughout the world, from sprint to Ironman distance events. To keep the sport fun, our members organize local training activities. In 2003, we organized a new sprint distance race in Novi, Michigan.

We tie people together through the web and e-mails and hook them up with what they need. If someone wants more coaching while swimming we put them in touch with our USMS certified coach in the Milford area. If they want to learn how to run in a marathon we have members that teach classes on that too. If you want to talk to other experienced master swimmers or age group triathletes we line that up too. You want it; we probably have tried it and can do it again if requested through our members.

Whatever your fitness goals, FAST can help you meet or exceed them. Some of the benefits of joining the club include: discounts at local bike shops, running stores, and swim shops; organized training groups; social events such as our yearly holiday party, season kick-off BBQ, and the occasional happy hour; masters swimming relays at the state meet; discounts through group purchases (i.e. CompuTrainer, tri clothing, etc.); ride and hotel room sharing to triathlons and swim meets; lap swim program; Saturday swim practices during the cold months; and last but not least, great friendships! See more reasons to join FAST below.

If you are interested in joining the club, but do not want to make a commitment until you learn more about what it has to offer, a perfect event for you to attend is one of our Saturday swim practices at Schoolcraft College at 7:00 am (fall through spring). Some FAST members also meet at the Livonia YMCA during the same time period, but you need to be a Y member or guest of a Y member. After the workout most members travel to a local restaurant for refueling and small talk. See more details here.

Why should you join FAST?

Largest and friendliest Triathlon Club in Michigan
One the top clubs in Mid East Region Club Championship Race Series.
Provides a full spectrum of training partners from those purely interested in the health and fitness aspect to the more competitive top age groupers.
FAST encourages and supports participation across the full range of triathlon, duathlon, and swimming distances from sprints to Ironman.
Veteran training and racing advice from club members with over 20 years of swimming and triathlon experience.
Access to a huge library of sporting resources including bike travel cases, training DVDs and books, and CompuTrainers.
Organized training opportunities:
- Lap Swimming: Brighton, Livonia, Milford (USMS Coached), Dearborn, Oakland U, Saline, Down River, Novi (see specific times and locations)
- Lake Swims in Summer: Island Lake (near Kensington) on Saturdays
- Triathlon bricks (bike then run): Northville on selected Saturdays & Wed, Stony Creek posted within Yahoo.
- Bike Rides: Nankin Mills on Tues.
- Runs: Ford Fitness Center on Tues/Thurs
- Weekly summer track workouts in Royal Oak
- Group open water swims and rides at Island Lake State Park
Team competition for triathlons in the Mideast region
Relay opportunities in Triathlons and swim meets
Best value for money sporting club you will find
Family-like feel to the club
Camaraderie and a whole lot of fun
Team support when the going gets tough
Free triathlon training and racing clinics (Join us - these clinics would cost more than the membership!)
Free club t-shirt – high quality running, micro fiber shirt which can be worn while racing.
10% discount at many local shops: Running Fit, Total Runner, Runnin' Gear in Brighton, D&D bikes (Northville), Two Wheel Tango in AA, and a discount on the team swim suit at Different Strokes.
Online discounts of 5% or more with sponsors linked on our home page
Group discounts (i.e.. CompuTrainer, Road ID, Metropark passes, etc.)
Discounts on PR Bars (watch yahoo group for ordering info)
Discount tickets that bring money to the club: Cedar Point, Auto Show, King’s Island, Golf books - contact jwilley@ford.com
Club merchandise for sale: bike/tri outfits (orders taken as demand identified)
Team social parties: Holiday Party, pre-triathlon season BBQ kickoff
Ride or room sharing opportunities for races to save that cash for that new high tech swim suit or new bike
Knowledge that our local triathlon raises money for a local charity.