Superhero Tri: Menna and Jen loving fantastic event

MORE than 2,000 participants headed to Dorney Lake last month for the latest instalment of the Superhero Series – the 2019 Superhero Tri.

They were joined by TV presenter Clare Balding and a string of Paralympians for another fantastic day at the UK’s one and only disability sports series for the everyday superhero.

Amongst the Paralympic stars in attendance were sprinter Jonnie Peacock, tennis star Alfie Hewett, equestrian champion Sophie Christiansen, athletes Olivia Breen and Kare Adenegan, and swimmer Liz Johnson.

Now in its third year, the Superhero Series mission has always been to create fun, full-throttle mass-participation sports challenges where people with disabilities call the shots and don’t have to worry about cut-off times or equipment restrictions.

For all those challenges, participants can either fly solo or team up with family and friends to do as much or as little as they wish, with as much or as little support as they need. If they want flippers or floats in the water or need to use their powerchair, Superhero Series makes it possible. In short, anything goes.

Amongst the team captains in attendance for participants to team up with were ski stars Menna Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Kehoe. Menna and Jen became Great Britain’s most-decorated Winter Paralympians at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, winning one gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

“The Superhero Tri powered by Marvel was an amazing event and great fun for everyone involved. We love being a part of it,” said Menna. “There were many highlights but if we have to choose one, the moment we all crossed the finish line as one team was one of the best, as well as cheering on our team-mates in the other stages of the tri. We were really proud of Tom and Chloe for being amazing team-mates!”

Jen added: “It’s great seeing Paralympic athletes getting involved because we all have a duty to inspire the next generation of athletes and to ensure that the sports keep growing. “The Superhero Tri is one of the best events to get involved with. It also is amazing to see so many people wanting to do sports - even with their impairment they love sports and getting involved.”

Explaining why they chose to get involved in the event – created by Paralympian Sophia Warner in August 2017 – Jen commented: “We loved the idea of an event that offered the chance for everyone to find their inner superpower, compete and finish, regardless of ability.

“Sport continually pushes boundaries and tests the limits of human endurance and you see this everywhere at the Superhero Tri! It’s an incredible atmosphere. Sophia asked us personally if we would get involved when we appeared together on a Q&A panel a couple of years ago. We jumped at the chance to be involved!”

Menna continued: “We are really privileged to build on our success at the 2018 Winter Paralympics to inspire others. Speaking to young people is amazing - they usually ask us very insightful, honest questions and are full of hope.

“It’s very exciting being able to share our story and medals. Hopefully one day they will go out and win their own! We also love inspiring older people too - sometimes people say they have started a new sport or activity or returned to playing a sport that they had not played for a while.”

Menna, who is visually impaired, and her guide Jen were amongst the stars of last year’s Winter Paralympics in South Korea. Hurtling down the slopes at speeds approaching 70mph, the pair captured the public’s imagination on their way to their superb four-medal haul which included gold in the slalom on the final day of the Games. Now, the duo are focusing on the next Winter Paralympics – Beijing 2022.

“With three years to go, we have been training hard this summer off-snow, building up our base fitness levels and endurance,” said Menna. “The 2019/20 season will be a bit different for us as Jen was promoted to Major this year and must return to the Army for six months. I have already started launching my career in media production, by doing some work experience with Whisper Films for a couple of weeks.

“We will officially be back on snow together in March, competing in the World Cup finals in Sweden.”•