ONE MORE TRI
Almost 2,000 triathletes stand in their wetsuits by the side of the lake at the National Water Sports Centre, waiting to be called forward for the rolling start. Most shiver a little, whether through the nip in the air before sunrise or the nervous anticipation of what lies ahead.
They ease to one side as a young man in a wheelchair – a ventilator tube helping him breathe, a tartan blanket across the knees to ward off the morning chill – is pushed toward the pontoon.
This wasn’t the triathlon journey Sam Perkins envisaged when he started out in the sport more than a decade ago, but it’s an opportunity – despite having no physical movement remaining – he will seize with everything he has.
The moment is made more poignant as a minute’s silence is impeccably observed for John Ball – the water safety maestro for Outlaw events – who passed away last autumn. It concludes with a round of applause that is extended as Sam is announced over the mic. Sam’s wife, Emma, is by his side.
“Your time is valuable,” she says. “Sam brought that to the fore when he said, ‘I just want to get as much done as I can in the time I’ve got left.’ I replied:
