ONE MORE TRI

On 6 March 2019, triathlete Sam Perkins had his world turned upside down when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Determined to do as much as possible in the time he had left, Sam set out on a mission to complete one more triathlon. After two years of pandemic-related delay, the day finally arrived in May. Here, Tim Heming recounts that emotional day...

- Tim Heming

AImost 2,000 triathletes stand in their wetsuits A by the side of the lake at the National Water Sports Centre, waiting to be called forward for the rolling start. Most shiver a little, whether through the nip in the air before sunrise or the nervous anticipation of what lies ahead.

They ease to one side as a young man in a wheelchair - a ventilator tube helping him breathe, a tartan blanket across the knees to ward off the morning chill - is pushed toward the pontoon.

This wasn't the triathlon journey Sam Perkins envisaged when he started out in the sport more than a decade ago, but it's an opportunity despite having no physical movement remaining - he will seize with everything he has.

The moment is made more poignant as a minute's silence is impeccably observed for John Ball the water safety maestro for Outlaw events - who passed away last autumn. It concludes with a round of applause that is extended as Sam is announced over the mic. Sam's wife, Emma, is by his side.

"Your time is valuable," she says. "Sam brought that to the fore when he said, 'I just want to get as much done as I can in the time I've got left.' I replied: 'You and me both, Sam. You're no different to me on that one.' Spend it with the people you want to spend it with. Do the things you want to do."

Sam wants to be here right now. At the Outlaw Half in Nottingham. Here for one more triathlon...

An army assembles

Steph Cobb is securing the tether that will allow her to tow the equivalent weight - made up of sandbags- of a 6ft 2in man in a kayak on the water at Holme Pierrepont. Just swimming 1.2miles wasn't enough of a challenge.

Asking why she's put her hand up for this is met with a quizzical stare. "Why would I not? Sam is an amazing triathlete who has always helped me over the years. We both love this ridiculous sport."