What would you give to live the life of a professional triathlete? That was the tempting carrot dangled in front of UK triathletes last summer when online behemoths Wiggle and run-shoe brand HOKA One One teamed up to offer four winners a prize package not seen since the heady days of Bullseye. By completing a fitness proving challenge on Strava, followed by a video stating why they were deserving of victory, a lucky quartet would win a dhb swim, bike, and run bundle; HOKA trainers including the new carbon-plated Bondi X; a Garmin watch; High5 nutrition bundle; Osprey bag; 220 subscription; and full coaching support toward the goal event of Ironman Wales in September.
“We whittled down the winners from around 500 applicants," explains Gavin Thompson, HOKA's UK trade marketing manager. "There were some inspirational stories. But we feel we chose the most inspiring four."
And inspiring they are. On the women's side, we have Pauline Green, a retired obstetrician for whom triathlon's provided a sure footing after her husband passed away in 2015; Lisa Stockdale, immunologist, former ballet dancer, and all-round high-achiever; Sim Gill, a team-sporter-cum-runner who's making his triathlon debut; and Geraint Jones, whose fitness shot up in lockdown as his wife kicked him out the house on a daily basis. Wiggle's Kaylee Hawkins and Gabs Burden would complete the Wiggle XHOKA Flyers.
220 first met up with the Flyers at the tail-end of 2021 at Wiggle HQ in Portsmouth for the team's dhb clothing fitting, an impromptu visit from the legend that is Joe Skipper, and to meet (remotely) their coaches Susie and Rob Cheetham. "I'm overawed, to be honest," Geraint commented, reflecting the thoughts of the group. "I didn't realize it was such a big prize." Well Jones, that was just the starters...
MEET THE FLYERS HOKA
1 KAYLEE HAWKINS
This story is from the Spring 2022 edition of 220 Triathlon.
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This story is from the Spring 2022 edition of 220 Triathlon.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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