Butterfield wins Tokio Triathlon

Tyler Butterfield cruised home to claim the honours at the Tokio Millenium Triathlon this morning.

The Bermudian Olympic triathlete gave the crowd plenty to cheer about when he and his brother, Spencer, put on an impromptu sprint finish from the Bird Cage to the finishing line at the end of the race.

Butterfield said: "It was a lot of fun out there today. It's always great to compete at home and have people shouting out your name.

"I pushed really hard in the swim and then the bike, and then really went for it for about half of the run.

"Then my brother and I decided to have a little sprint-off.

"My brother always gets the better of me in the sprints so I thought I had a chance today. I thought maybe he would be a bit tired at the end of his run. But he got the better of me at the line."

Butterfield's brother Spencer had been taking part in the team event.

Tyler Butterfield crossed the line in 55 minutes 39 seconds and was followed a couple of minutes later by John Herring who came in second.

He added: "Today was all about enjoying the event and having fun. It is a great occasion.

"I'm pleased with the time. But there is a lot of work ahead for me now.

"I leave the island tomorrow and am back to the US for a month of training, before I take part in two back to back Iron Man's.

"It's going to be tough but I'm looking forward to it."

Scores of competitors took part in popular event this morning that saw islanders swim out across Hamilton Harbour before cycling and running along Front Street.

They were cheered on by hundreds of islanders who lined the course for the race.