Chris Mitchell knows better than most what it means to be inspired by someone else overcoming the odds.
Chris (pictured above left with Richard) has watched his older brother Richard return from a near death experience after being hit by a truck in 2001 to take on Challenge Wanaka over the full iron distance.
Living in Melbourne at the time, Richard’s accident was a huge shock to the family as they rushed to be at his bedside.
"On arriving in Melbourne I saw first-hand the terrible state that Richard was in. Metal rods protruding from his abdomen to stabilise his pelvis and swelling beyond belief, not to mention all of the unseen internal injuries,” Chris says.
"I wasn't really aware initially how close Richard was to dying, a thought that I guess I didn't want to acknowledge. Being the youngest in the family I have always looked up to Richard and the thought of losing him was too much to consider seriously.
But Richard showed incredible determination and motivation to fight back from injuries that could so easy have ended his life.
Then to the surprise of his family he pushed himself even further with the promise of completing a full ironman distance race.
"I always knew Richard would fight and believed he would survive, but to then nine years later decide to take on Challenge Wanaka from where he was in those early days is truly amazing and inspiring.
"Richard's determination not to let a truck running him over beat him inspired and encouraged me to get out and do something proactive about my own situation.
"His constant support and seeing him improving and achieving amazing results kept me motivated and inquisitive about triathlon.”
Inspired by the feats of his brother, the decision to race in Contact Tri Series Wanaka was an easy one for Chris.
The 35-year-old Dunedin man decided he couldn’t sit back and watch his brother do all the work, so after taking part in a few team events, duathlons and a little training, Mitchell took the plunge and entered the 3:9:3 event (300m swim, 9km bike and 3km run).
It quickly became a family affair with parents, wives, children and supporters in town to watch first Chris compete on the Friday and then Richard in the Challenge event on the Saturday.
The day began a little differently though, with Chris and Richard finding themselves alongside elite triathletes Kris Gemmell and Tony Dodds as they featured in interviews and a film shoot that included clay pigeon shooting and a helicopter ride thanks to local businessmen Peter Marshall and his colleagues with the footage to be shown on Contact Tri TV on TV1 and SKY in the weeks ahead.
The entire crew were invited out to the property part owned by local businessmen Peter Marshal. These days Pete and his team are working on their new venture Tallon Systems, providing accessories for the marine and automotive industries (www.tallonsystems.com) but when not working on this and other projects, they enjoy hosting friends and family and on this occasion a group of people who share triathlon as a passion.
After the euphoria of the helicopter ride and the challenge of a TV interview, Chris didn’t disappoint with his race efforts coming home in a tick over 50 minutes although he did have his usual issues in the water.
"I think the lake levels have returned to normal after that, the amount of water I drank on the way round. I started too quickly and haven’t really swum in that size group before so it all became a little bit hard, banging and crashing – but it was all enjoyable nonetheless. I soon settled into a rhythm and came out of the water safe and sound.”
Chris then got to work on the bike around the three lap bike course that passed in front of the lakefront restaurants and bars each time, to the cheers and support of those watching in town. He finished strongly, coming home in 14th place.
But time and place counted for little, it was another small step towards bigger goals.
"That was enjoyable and for my second triathlon, certainly better than the first! I’ll certainly be back for more and in all likelihood a longer distance next time. I’ve got five years to catch up to Richard and maybe one day do a full iron distance event but for now that is great.”
Chris crossed the line to the cheers of the crowd and an emotional welcome home from mum who immediately said how proud she was of the younger of the two brothers, knowing that they would have a much longer day supporting Richard in Challenge Wanaka the next day when the older of the two Mitchell boys would finish his first ever iron distance event in 15:07:13.
