Paralympian Lewis: ‘You can overcome any obstacles’

Paralympian Jessica Lewis and international triathlete Tyler Butterfield will be headliners in the Tokio Millennium Re 2014 Sprint Triathlon on Sunday, June 8.

The pair of athletes are both sponsored by Tokio Millenium Re and are back in Bermuda encouraging others to join them in competing in the triathlon, which is geared towards young and old and which the reinsurance firm hopes will encourage people to get fit.

Butterfield, fresh off a win in the May 24 half marathon, said in a press release: “The Sprint Triathlon is a great event I am not only excited to participate in, but encourage others to try and get involved.

“I highly encourage anyone thinking of trying a triathlon to come down and participate. You will truly enjoy it.”

Lewis thanked Tokio Millennium in a press release, saying: “‎I am really looking forward to competing in the Tokio Millennium Re triathlon because the company believes in me and is helping me achieve my dreams in wheelchair track racing and I can never thank them enough for their generosity,”

"My message to young people is to not be afraid to dream big and everybody has something in them that is greater than any obstacle and if they put in the hard work they can achieve anything they desire.”

“Fitness is very important to me because it makes me feel good and gives me the confidence to lead a successful, happy life.

There are five race categories in the event – Senior Individual, Senior Team, Try-a-Tri, Senior School Challenge and the Junior Duathlon.

The Sprint Triathlon involves a 750m swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run. The Try–a-Tri, designed for those new to the sport, is a 200m swim, 10km bike ride, and a 2km run.

Children aged seven to ten-years-old can compete in a duathlon comprised of a 1km run, 4km bike and another 1km run. Juniors 11 to 14-years-old will compete over a longer distance — 2km run, 8km bike and 2km run.

The Senior School challenge is completed in school teams. For the duathlon there is a team of two - one person runs 2k, the second person bikes 8km and the runner completes another 2k to finish.

The triathlon teams consist of three members - one person swims 200m, one bikes 10km and one person runs 2km.