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Triathlon

Visually impaired Triathletes complete Triathlon in USA

3 visually impaired people have now become Triathletes after completing their first triathlon. KMTV.com)
3 visually impaired people have now become Triathletes after completing their first triathlon. (KMTV.com)

No disabilities can deter you from your triathlon dream, when you put your mind into it, even if you’re visually impaired.

Kathy Brown, Bridgit and Ross Pollpeter, completed an extraordinary feat when they all crossed the finish line at the Mayor’s Triathlon in Nebraska, USA. It is an extraordinary feat for anyone, but especially these three athletes as all three are visually impaired.

“Blindness was not the most difficult part of this triathlon,” said Ross Pollpeter, who competed in the triathlon with his wife, Bridgit.

“It was really amazing, this triathlon was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Brown said.

Guides led them on completing the extraordinary feat on the triathlon course. Image from video)
Guides led them on completing the extraordinary feat on the triathlon course. (Image from video)

The course consisted of a 500 meter swim, almost 16 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run with guides led them through the course. The Papillion Triathlon group formed the Tr-Eyes program to give visually impaired athletes the chance to compete.

“The tri program is just based on a dream, a goal that I had about 16 years ago. I saw a visually impaired individual cross an Ironman triathlon,” said Andrew Rivera, founder of Tr-Eyes.

A dream that became a reality today as these three crossed the finish line — in less than 2 and a half hours.

“I’m just really proud that we got out there and just really demonstrated that ability,” said Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter.

Now the three say they plan to compete in more triathlons.

Source: KMTV.com