Dad-son duo's 7-day triathlon ends today

Dubai - The pair set off last Sunday to complete seven triathlons in seven days across the seven emirates.

Although 49-year-old Nick Watson and his 15-year-old son Rio have undertaken over a 100 races together and are well known in the triathlon community of the UAE, they have raised the bar this time by setting out for their toughest challenge ever. 
The pair set off last Sunday to complete seven triathlons in seven days across the seven emirates.
Held in association with the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, Dubai-resident Nick and his son Rio, a person of determination, took on this challenge to raise awareness, acceptance and inclusion of people of determination.
An official ambassador of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, Nick and Rio undertook the mammoth journey in Fujairah on February 10 and aims to cross the finish line in Dubai today. Each day the duo are covering about 113km by swimming 1.9km, biking 90km and running 21km.
"In the last part of the triathlon, we run 20km and then come back to the finishing line and then do a community walk for 1km with the people and many students of determination who wait to welcome us. The idea is that anyone can come and join us and make this a community event. We are encouraging people to join #TriWithRio challenge in the last 1km of each day," Nick said.
Since Rio has trouble with walking and speaks through sign language, Nick pulls Rio in a kayak during the swim, cycles with Rio sat in a seat on an adapted bike and runs pushing Rio in a disability chair with wheels.
Talking about the most challenging part of the triathlon, Nick said: "Although the weather being cool helps the change in weather conditions makes it hard but what motivates me to keep going is my son's reaction at the end of the day when says 'dada race'. And also the enormous amount of support we get from different communities who wait for us at the finishing line, bucking us up."
Nick and Rio start their journey every day at around 9am and manage to finish the 113-km challenge by 4pm every day.
"The support we have received for this journey has been overwhelming. We have cyclists and other athletes joining us during the cycling part. Also for me, Rio's happiness is very important. The number of children of determination waiting for him at the finishing line cheering and calling out his name 'Rio. Rio..' is just an emotional sight. They embrace him, take pictures with him and that's what makes the whole effort worthwhile that he is accepted, loved and made to feel like a part of the community."
Nick added: "What we are trying to do through this challenge is that we are hoping to inspire other families with children of determination to get out, be active, bring their children for sporting events because sports activities are a great way to break barriers and bring people together."
saman@khaleejtimes.com

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