Watching the World Triathlon Series in Cozumel and watching the Brownlee brothers work together to get across the finish line, resonated with me every reason why we started TriPals. We wanted to inspire people to get into this amazing sport (it’s only our first year) and show that doing things together is better.
We obviously focused on our training together but come race day we were on our own, relatively speaking. Apart from the odd high five and occasional shout across the road route to encourage each other on, we were working our own agenda. But we were supporting each other and I’m sure, if either of us experienced what these two did in Sunday, we’d help each other too.
Seeing Jonny in near collapse heading towards the finish line was awful. I’ve not been in that position at all, but I was withholding every urge to shout at the screen to urge him to keep going!
Then his brother turned the corner and helped him across the line. How flipping awesome. But the real heroic part? Alistair, who had every chance to run into second, literally shoved his brother across the line to make sure he still maintained second place. He made sure his brother, ahead on the league table, got that vital place over himself. Sadly, Jonny didn’t get enough points to win the world title this year, but this must go down as one of the most selfless and heroic acts in sport in years.
Unbelievable and inspirational.
Hats off to these two and I hope they get recognised for this in the new year awards!