UWindsor alum Corey Bellemore turned his track and field experience into dedication to the next generation. [Photo courtesy of Corey Bellemore]
By Sara Elliott
Former Lancer track and field captain Corey Bellemore’s (BA 2017) achievements range from successfully competing in Ironman triathlons to collecting more than 20,000 Instagram followers and training the next generation of athletes as an assistant cross-country coach at St. Clair College.
Read on as Bellemore self-reflects on pushing the limits in competition and in life.
What did you major in at UWindsor?
Psychology. To keep it simple - I found (and still find) great interest in how we think as humans, what influences our decisions and what makes us who we are.
What did it mean to you to be track & field captain?
It was a great honour. The University of Windsor Track & Field Team had an incredible legacy that was led by Dennis Fairall and assisted by many other generational coaches. I was fortunate to be brought up by many talented and hard-working teammates but also, great leaders. Being a track & field captain taught me how to lead by example, support others, listen to others and ultimately be a voice for a change, if one was needed.
UWindsor alum Corey Bellemore competing as a Lancer. [Photo courtesy of Corey Bellemore]
How did your time at UWindsor lead you to compete in Ironman events?
My time at UWindsor led me to compete in Ironman events by being the next natural chapter in my athletic endeavours. I had a few injuries throughout my time as a Lancer that led me to spend time in the pool and on the bike within the walls of the St. Denis Centre. This always made me think about one day putting the three disciplines of swimming, biking and running together to test myself in a triathlon. After COVID, it seemed like the perfect time to step away from athletics and into a new realm of endurance sports. I could not be happier with my decision as I just accepted my professional card for triathlon, and I am excited to see how hard I can push myself to compete at the top.
What is your biggest takeaway from being a Lancer?
You get out what you put in. If you enjoy the full experience of being a student-athlete and everything it has to offer, especially as a Lancer, it will leave an everlasting impact on you. The synonymous support of the university and community is hard to find in other cities. Windsor is a special place that honours its past, celebrates its present and is forever working towards building its future. An important takeaway to realize is there are always opportunities everywhere, you just need to look for them and work for them.
You are now a coach at St. Clair College. What do you love about training the next generation of athletes?
I love seeing the passion, hard work and eagerness of the next generation. I want to ensure the premise of their relationship with sport and competition is to have fun. Hard work can be challenging but it can also be fun and extremely rewarding. The biggest goal of mine as a coach is to ensure the next generation can utilize sport as a healthy activity to challenge themselves, take care of their mental health, connect with others and enjoy moving their body outdoors.
UWindsor alum Corey Bellemore competing. [Photo courtesy of Corey Bellemore]
You have repeatedly broken records at the Beer Mile World Classic. What draws you to competing in the Beer Mile?
It started with a friend Joe Kagumba and my twin Justin Bellemore wanting to see if I could break the world record on a random summer night after track season. After doing so, the world had gotten a hold of the video and 24 hours later I was on a flight to London, England for a competition called the Beer Mile World Classic. I did not know about this event until I was there and while only being in London for 48 hours, I broke the world record again. From then on, as long as it fits with life, training and competition, I make time for these events to travel, take a life break and connect with many great people within the event. The funny thing is, the people that compete within these events are not what most think. They are elite runners, who happen to be able to chug and hold it down. The event brings us together in a new place every year. I’ve travelled to London, England, San Francisco, Calif., Vancouver, Berlin, Leuven, Belgium, Chicago, Ill. and Lisbon, Portugal.
While I do understand, these are two things that should not be mixed or necessarily promoted; I take full advantage of the opportunities that have presented themselves from doing this interesting and quirky event. It has connected me with many great brands and people. Despite being known for the beer mile (and as a "beer miler"), I am still in control of how I represent myself the other 364 days of the year which are deeply rooted within health, family, wellness, travel, food, pets and sports.
This profile is part of a special series celebrating Alumni Week 2025. Discover events and more at uwindsor.ca/alumniweek.
