There were emotional scenes in Derry as a young man with Down Syndrome, Benjamin Thompson, crossed the line to rapturous applause in his first ever triathlon.
Organised by the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum in Derry, the event saw 50 participants complete ten laps of a swimming pool, cycle ten miles and run for two.
And Benjamin's efforts have now proved that "disability is never a barrier to fitness, health or well-being".
Read more: Derry 'Ironman' Danny Quigley to be granted Freedom of City at a special ceremony
The 'Try a Tri' event, held at Templemore Sports Complex, marked the second edition of the now annual event.
Organisers say it was inspired by local triathlete Danny Quigley’s mammoth ’10 in 10’ triathlon challenge in 2021.
Monies raised from the challenge were used to create a ‘Danny Quigley Fund’ aimed at improving mental health provision and well-being in the city and district
.
Aisling Hutton, Mental Health Practitioner at the Health Forum, and Danny Quigley Fund Co-ordinator said that the Health Forum was ‘blown away yet again’ at the level of support they received from the local community.
“Now in its second year, our DQ Fund try a tri event is attracting more and more people who want to take on the fitness challenge,” she said.
“What has been really wonderful to see is people like Benjamin, who decided to challenge himself today and he proved that disability should never be a barrier to fitness, health or well-being. That is exactly what the try a tri event is there for. In completing his try a tri challenge, he has inspired so many of us. I truly believe that the sense of community helped everyone to cross the finish line today and it is so evident that we can achieve so much together when we are working towards a common goal.”
Scores of people took to social media after the event to congratulate Benjamin on his achievement. In preparation for the try a tri, Benjamin also benefitted from the fantastic work of Sinead Lynch & Bronagh Mc Namara from ‘Inclusivity Fit’ who personally trained him to have his body and mind ready for the challenge.
Aisling Hutton also said that the Health Forum is already thinking of ways to make next year’s event even better again.
“We have a few ideas up our sleeves of what we can do differently, but what will never change is our belief that community events such as this have the ability to improve all of our collective health & well-being.”
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