This past weekend was the Tokio Triathlon, I believe it’s the last triathlon event here until after the summer. Jenn, of course, participates annually, and this was Josh’s 2nd year in the event (it will surely become an annual event for him as well)! Josh has joined the Tri-Hedz triathlon club earlier this year (he’s decked out in their yellow and grey gear) and was keen to put some of his training to the test!
It is noted that this event was only a duathlon for the kids (run / bike / run), as it’s not really super safe to be swimming in the harbour off Albouy’s Point in town (watch out for the ferries!). The course is fairly flat, with the bike and the run both up and down Front Street in Hamilton.
Ready, set, go!
Josh set off at the back of the pack at the beginning of the race – Jenn and I couldn’t be prouder, however, as the reason he was at the back was because one of his buddies tripped at the start of the race and Josh actually went back to make sure he was ok before zooming off to try to catch the others! Fantastic sportsmanship.
Josh had a great race, and while he wasn’t near the front of the pack, he did walk away with a 2nd prize trophy for his age group in the mountain bike category, coming in with a time of 26:58. Sure, there were only three boys in said category (most of the other kids have road bikes), but we’ll take it! Hooray!
Then it was Jenn’s turn (along with some of her biking buddies (dubbed the ‘Missfits‘)! And yes. they had to swim in the harbour, against the wind, dodging ferry boats… but that didn’t slow them down (much)!
Bermuda’s own Flora Duffy (world-class triathlete / local celebrity!) was at the event, as a participant (she schooled everyone on the swim as a member of a team), and also as the prize-giver at the end. Josh missed getting his prize initially, as I had taken the kids to breakfast between Josh and Jenn’s races – but she was happy to pose for a picture with him after Jenn’s race was over. He was pretty happy about that!
Equally as happy was Jennifer, who came in with a time of 1:19:19, which was good for 29th overall and 3rd in her age group. She was also just as excited as Josh to be able to get a photo with Flora at her prize-giving…!
Maybe someday they’ll be Facebook friends. 🙂