Team Invictus at the At Home Superhero Tri
It’s big. It’s bold. It’s gutsy. It’s the UK’s one and only disability sports series for the Everyday Superhero! The mission is simple: to create fun, full-throttle mass-participation sports events where people with disabilities (AKA Everyday Superheroes) call the shots and don’t have to worry about cut-off times or equipment restrictions!
Featuring many former Invictus Games competitors, or our wider Invictus Family of international wounded, injured or sick Servicemen and women, this year’s Superhero Tri is taking place, and bringing people together, virtually!
Meet #TEAMINVICTUS
Bruno Guevremont, Canada, 46;
Mark Reidy, Australia, 49 (Sidekick assistance dog Alba);
& Jen Warren, UK, 39 (Sidekicks daughter Sally, 6, and son Jack, 2)
Celeb Team Captain: UK TV Presenter and Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers
This crack team of international military veterans are attempting a truly epic feat! They’ve set themselves the mighty goal of 2020km +1 km in a symbolic salute to the Invictus Games The Hague, which has had to be postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. They kicked off on the first day of the challenge, 15th June, and aim to achieve the great distance by the last day of the challenge one month later! For the final 1km they plan to unite via zoom to virtually finish the challenge “hand in hand”.
Mark will be riding his bike on a smart trainer using a virtual cycling platform, with his trusty Sidekick assistance dog, Alba, by his side, as well as riding outside with some of the Aussie Invictus team when the weather permits. Bruno will be doing a mix of cycling, elliptical running and rowing, and Jen plans to use her Kayak Ergo, handcycle and racing wheelchair. The challenge is on!
Their super story:
This team just goes to show you don’t need to be bound by the normal logistical barriers for the At Home Superheroes challenge – you can unite with teammates from all over the world! These guys may be scattered across the globe, but they are very much united by their great love of sport and each one has proudly represented their country in the Invictus Games.
The postponement of this year’s Invictus Games is a great blow to everyone involved, but the Invictus Games Foundation has joined forces with the Superhero Series this year and galvanised an impressive troop of Invictus participants and supporters who’ll be refocussing their attention and efforts on the At Home Superheroes challenge alongside #TeamInvictus and you can bet they’ll be primed and ready!
Jen served 12 years in the British Army as a doctor. She was medically discharged but continued her career in medicine on four wheels. She works as an anaesthetist, specialising in intensive care in the NHS. Jen won multiple medals across a range of sports at previous Invictus Games and was UK Team Vice Captain at the Invictus Games Toronto 2017. Jen considers sport essential for both her physical and mental wellbeing.
“The Invictus Games has given me a love of all things parasport and I can never say no to a challenge!”
Well and truely in the pain cave today @SuperheroTri #athomesuperheroes#findyourpower #TeamInvictus we might be across 3 continents but teamwork is our superpower! @WeAreInvictus @JJChalmersRM @Wellbeing_au @Be_redemption pic.twitter.com/QXNqBoIn5N
— Jen Warren (@drjen_w) June 20, 2020
Bruno lives with experiences that took their toll on his mental health after serving two tours in Afghanistan working with an anti-explosives team. But he could not be stopped and in the past few years he’s opened his own gym, represented Canada in the Invictus Games and even reached the North Pole!
Mark dedicated his adult life to the Australian Army and accumulated an incredible seven years on operational deployment over his 15-year career. Mark represented Australia in the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando and has been the cycling coach for Team Australia. He left the Army with both physical and psychological injuries, but found strength through sport, through helping others and from his Superhero Sidekick (assistance dog) Alba!
Great to be back outside this time riding with our beginner riders from the @UniversitySA #Invictus Pathways Program. Little did they know they were my sidekicks for #AtHomeSuperHeroes @SuperheroTri as part of #TeamInvictus @WeAreInvictus that’s another 30km in the bag. pic.twitter.com/Yy9BnBgKmL
— Mark Reidy (@Wellbeing_au) June 19, 2020
Celebrity Captain, Invictus Games London 2014 competitor and now BBC TV Presenter JJ Chalmers is heading up the team and adding his own distances to the tally – joined by his own sidekicks along the way!
Still going strong, but just about home.
8km under our belt for #TeamInvictus.
And my #SideKick only learnt to ride her bike at the start of #Lockdown.#AtHomeSuperheroes #SportForAll pic.twitter.com/6f6spLNcZY
— JJ Chalmers (@JJChalmersRM) June 21, 2020
Follow @SuperheroTri on Twitter for the latest updates, and cheer on all those taking part, or head to superheroseries.co.uk to find out more! Many of those taking part are fundraising to support the Invictus Games Foundation, if you can please consider donating to support their efforts and our work at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/InvictusAtHome
