The Superhero Series’ ‘Superhero Tri’, powered by Marvel, returned to Dorney this weekend as part of the UK’s only mass-participation sports series dedicated to the nation’s 16 million people with disabilities of any kind. Now in its eighth year, a record 3,300 people with all disabilities took part in the three-challenge event in Windsor. Event highlights, hosted by Clare Balding, will be broadcast on Channel 4 in September.
A highlight of the day, this year saw the return of the ‘Celebrity Superhero Tri’, where 30 ‘Everyday Superheroes’ – who shared their story of how they found their superpower – competed alongside celebrity captains including Adam Hills (Comedian and talk show host), Anne Usher (Para-canoe gold medalist), Briony May Williams (Food columnist & GBBO semi-finalist), Jordan Jarrett-Bryan (TV reporter and presenter) and Sophie Christiansen (Paralympic Equestrian gold medalist).
The Superhero Tri took place at the world-class, 2012 Paralympic rowing venue Dorney Lake in Windsor, which offers the chance for participants to become an ‘Everyday Superhero’. Challenges included a tow/swim, cycle and a push/run which was done either solo, in a team relay or Superheroes could recruit ‘Sidekick’ teammates to tow, push and pull them around the entire course. Marvel was there to lend the power of its Super Heroes and storytelling to make the day even more epic for participants, helping to inspire participants to unlock their inner superpowers.
Select Superheroes, who shared their stories of how they found their superpowers, will compete alongside stars from sport and screen in a relay race. The full list of Celebrity Captains include:
- Adam Hills – Comedian and talk show host
- Alistair Patrick-Heselton – Paralympic footballer
- Anne Usher – Para-canoe gold medalist
- Bethany Doran – Paralympic athlete
- Briony May Williams – Food columnist & GBBO semi-finalist
- David Wiseman – Invictus Games medalist & former captain in the army
- Eve Roberts – Para-athlete and EDI Manager
- Fi Cranswick – Invictus Games Champion
- Jordan Jarrett-Bryan – TV reporter and presenter
- Sophie Christiansen – Paralympic Equestrian Gold Medalist
- Liz Johnson – Paralympic swimming champion
- Oliver Pritchard – GB triathlete
- Richard Chiassaro – Paralympic athlete
- Stephen Miller – Paralympic athlete
Paralympian and Superhero Series Founder, Sophia Warner, said:
“It’s amazing to see the return of the Superhero Tri for its eighth year. This year feels even more special with the 2024 Paralympics set to celebrate the elite side of disability sport. It’s so important that everyone, no matter their ability, is offered the opportunity to be active and experience the joy of taking part in a large-scale sporting event. The Superhero Series shows what’s possible when you remove the obstacles of limited timetables, cut-off times and inadequate sporting equipment. I can’t wait to see our Everyday Superheroes join in on the fun as they compete alongside each other.”
Sara Hanson, Director of Enterprise Social Responsibility, Disney EMEA, said:
“We are incredibly proud of Marvel’s ongoing support of the series and that our storytelling and iconic characters continue to inspire participants to find their inner powers and unlock their inner Super Hero while encouraging children and families to have fun and be active. We hope all of today’s Super Heroes feel proud of everything they have achieved.”
The Superhero Tri, founded by Paralympian Sophia Warner in 2017, was born out of a lack of sporting events for the ‘Everyday Superhero’. It aims to hold bold, fun, and inclusive sporting challenges, while also creating a community for Superheroes & Sidekicks. Its mission is simple – create fun, full-throttle sports events where people with disabilities – the ‘Superheroes’ – call the shots without the worry and stress of restrictions that would ordinarily hold them back from wanting to be active.
Following the success of Superhero Series online events, a separate virtual challenge took place for those unable to attend, with 2,200 people taking part from all over the world.