A brand new mass-participation sports series has been launched to increase disability participation.
The Superhero Series allows disabled and able-bodied people the chance to take part in triathlon races – either solo, or in a team. There will also be 20 ‘Celebrity Team Captains’ who are searching for athletes to make up a squad and compete alongside them.
The Team Captains include the likes of Rio Paralympic cyclist Megan Giglia and velodrome and athletics star Kadeena Cox. To enter to be on a Celebrity team you simply need to log on to the Superhero Series website and tell the organisers why you should win.
Disabled and able bodied people can take part, and there will be three different distance options available at the debut event on August 19 at Dorney Lake, Windsor.
Sophia Warner, Paralympian and founder of the Superhero Series, said: “I have been involved in disability sport for 25 years, and am thrilled to be launching an event that unites people of all disabilities, and gives the one million people with disabilities who regularly do sport the chance to come together, compete and challenge themselves.”
“I am thrilled to be launching an event that unites people of all disabilities” – Sophia Warner, Paralympian and founder
The Celebrity Superhero race will cover a 150m swin, 3km bike and 1km push/run. However, the event is open to all and those not part of a ‘celebrity squad’ can team up with one or two friends or go solo to tackle any of the following distances:
- Sprint Superhero Tri: 150m swim, 3k bike, 1k push/run
- Half Superhero Tri: 400m swim, 10k bike, 2.5k push/run
- Full Superhero Tri: 750m swim, 20k bike, 5k push/run
There will be 20 Team Captains in all – the first to be announced are:
- Sophie Christianson, OBE, eight-time Paralympic Gold Medallist, Paraequestrian (also a Superhero Series Ambassador)
- JJ Chalmers, former Royal Marine and Channel 4 Rio 2016 Paralympics Presenter
- Sophie Morgan, TV Presenter, artist and model, and part of Channel 4 Rio 2016 Paralympics presenting team
- Anne Dickins, Paralympic Gold Medallist, Paracanoeing
- Megan Giglia, won Britain’s first Gold Medal in Rio 2016, in C1-3 3,000m cycling race
- Kadeena Cox, Paralympic Gold Medallist in Rio 2016 in C4-5 cycling time trial and T38 400m sprint
- David Henson, MBE, Rio 2016 bronze medallist in 200m sprint and inaugural Invictus Games team captain
Team Captain Sophie Christianson commented: “I cannot wait for people to share their superpower and get involved in the Superhero Series. I am really looking forward to reading all the stories and being part of a team of everyday superheroes.”
The Superhero Series have also appointed four ‘ambassadors’ who will take part, and represent the inclusive goals of the event. One of those ambassadors is Eve Williams – a 4-year-old with a rare chromosome condition that causes global development delay and epilepsy. She’ll compete with her Mum Jenni (swimming), Dad Steve (cycling) – walking the final leg with her mum.
“The Superhero Tri shows what is possible when given the opportunity”
Jenni said: “The Superhero Tri shows what is possible when given the opportunity and allows us to work towards and enjoy a great sporting challenge as a family. Eve is such an adventurous and determined little tornado and what a way to encourage and channel these amazing qualities.”
If you’re interested in taking part with a few friends, or would like to apply to be on a celebrity team, there’s more information here.
