Honda driver Jenson Button has exceeded his own expectations when he competed in the Windsor Triathlon last weekend. The British driver has shown interest in the multi-disciplined sport recently and had a target time for completing the event of 2 hours, 30 minutes. As Button crossed the line in Windsor’s Great Park at the end of the 10km run, his time was 2 hours, 22 minutes and 43 seconds. Jenson’s physiotherapist, Mike Collier, also competed and followed his driver home twelve minutes later.
The triathlon is often regarded as one of the toughest events to do as an athlete, combining a 1500 metre swim, a 43km cycle ride and finishing with a 10km run. On Sunday, Button finished 117th out of 1700 participants and said he was “chuffed to bits” with the result.
I’m absolutely chuffed to bits. I was hoping to break 2 hours 30 minutes so I am very happy with my result and really enjoyed it. It was a fantastic experience. I was in agony on the run after pushing hard on the bike, but the crowds were a great support. Jenson Button.
Button isn’t the only driver to use other disciplines to further his fitness and strength, Mark Webber being well-known for organizing his Tasmania Challenge each year during the off-season. Set in the grueling countryside of Tasmania, Webber combines canoeing with cycling and hiking and asks for sports-people the world over to form teams and take part. Webber’s challenge raises a lot of money for many charities and offers athletes from a variety of sports to try something a little different.
Alex Zanardi also takes a keen interest in sports outside of motor racing, the Italian recently took part in the New York Marathon on a hand bike. Zanardi lost both his legs in an accident in 2001, but took part in the 26-mile trek on an adapted wheelchair/bike alongside abled-body competitor Heikki Kovalainen who ran the distance in just over 3.5 hours.
