Triathlete Stephen King Triumphs with Stellar Finish at Outerbanks Sprint

In the world of triathlon, grit, determination, and spirit are the name of the game. This past weekend, Triple Victor’s very own Stephen King exemplified all these qualities and more at the Outerbanks Sprint Triathlon held on September 9, 2023.

A Victory Earned Through Sheer Determination

Stephen’s triumphant performance showcased the results of dedication and hard work. Despite facing stiff competition, including a fierce rival from Liberty University’s collegiate triathlete pool, Stephen secured an impressive second place overall and championed his age group, illustrating the high-level sportsmanship that is a hallmark of a Triple Victor athlete.

Race Day Breakdown

• Overall Placement: 2nd out of 84 competitors
• Age Group: 1st
• Official Time: 1 hour and 17 minutes

Segment Results

• 750m Swim: 16:04
• T1: 1:48
• 20km Bike: 32:42
• T2: 00:42
• 5k Run: 26:04

Stephen embarked on the 750m swim with a focused mind, emerging with a time of 16:04. Swift transitions were the order of the day, with Stephen spending just 1:48 in T1 and a mere 42 seconds in T2, demonstrating his finesse and experience in the triathlon circuit.

But it was perhaps during the 20km bike segment where Stephen truly shone, asserting his prowess by overtaking competitors even on their superbikes, a true testament to the “engine” rather than the “machine”, clocking an enviable time of 32:42 while racing on his road bike.

Entering the 5k run, Stephen found himself comfortably sandwiched with a large gap between the first and third positions. This allowed him a triumphant cruise to the finish line, not just as a race but a celebration of the journey, stopping the clock at 26:04.

A Heartwarming Closure to a Season

Despite a minor setback of forgetting his bib during the run — a moment that saw him wrestling with the possibility of a DQ — the officials acknowledged his genuine effort, and Stephen was rightfully awarded his spot on the podium.

This race not only marks a personal victory for Stephen but embodies the spirit of Triple Victor — a community that champions hard work, dedication, and the pure joy of the sport.

As his coach, witnessing Stephen’s journey, balancing family as a young father, sport, and managing his business to reach this pinnacle has been nothing short of inspirational. His growth, both as an athlete and an individual, punctuated by qualifying for the USAT National Championships earlier in the year, paints the portrait of a true champion.

The Future is Bright

As we celebrate Stephen’s remarkable achievement, we are reminded of the incredible potential within all of us when we commit to pursuing our passions with grit and determination. Stephen’s journey has been a beacon of inspiration, encouraging us all to push beyond our limits and chase our dreams, one race at a time.

Congratulations, Stephen! Your Triple Victor family is incredibly proud of you, and we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next.