09/23/2026
BRINEMAN Duathlon
This is Tim’s race report from his Duathlon at the TriUtah Brineman race.
Tim is a Stan Davis Legacy Award recipient. It’s definitely worth taking the time to read.
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude for selecting me as the recipient of the Stan Davis Legacy Award. It was an absolute honor to represent Stan out there on the course, and receiving this recognition made an already unforgettable day even more meaningful.
Completing the Brineman 2026 taught me so much about multi=sport events in a single race. As my very first duathlon, I wanted to make sure everything went smoothly, so I arrived at the venue early. Getting to start with plenty of time allowed me to set up without rushing, soak in the pre-race energy, and chat with fellow athletes. I remember saying hello to a group of ladies dressed in matching kits who were incredibly friendly. As it turned out, they were actually my teammates! A great way to start the day.
When we lined up at the start, there were five of us Duathletes ready to go. The horn sounded, and we were off. I looked down for just a second to clip into my pedal, and by the time I looked back up, the rest of the pack was gone—already at least 100 yards down the road. My competitive instincts screamed at me to chase them down, but I immediately reined myself in. I told myself, “Don't do it. You have a plan. Stick to it. Get to your target heart rate and maintain.”
Holding back was to do. As the miles ticked by and other athletes passed me, I found myself holding silent conversations in my head, thinking, “I have to maintain my heart rate,” or stubbornly, “You wouldn’t have passed me 20 or 30 years ago!” I am intensely competitive in everything I do, so letting people go took real discipline. But as the race progressed, I realized something beautiful: no one was trying to beat me down. Instead, every person who passed offered words of encouragement, calling out, “Good job!” and “Keep it up!” I kept internalizing that support, repeating my mantra: “This is your race. Stick to the plan.”
The bike leg wasn't without its dramatic moments. I learned a very practical lesson the hard way: never try to slide your water bottle back into its cage while navigating a turn, especially when the road is lined with loose gravel! I came incredibly close to wiping out, but thankfully, I saved it and just had to laugh at myself. As I approached Transition 2, I saw crowds of spectators lining the street, cheering loudly for their athletes. My internal dialogue shifted to pure survival mode: Slow down. Do not embarrass yourself. Remember to unclip and make sure to swing that leg high enough to clear the saddle and the rear water bottle. I wanted to look like a seasoned pro, and luckily, I managed a perfectly smooth, incident-free dismount.
The final run course was fantastic, and seeing the finish line architecture in the distance was a truly welcome sight. Overall, I couldn't be happier with how the day turned out. I crossed the line well under my goal time, and most importantly, I executed my own race strategy.
Crossing that finish line didn't just mark the end of a great race; it sparked a brand-new fire. This experience completely solidified my desire to compete in more duathlons in the future. Even more surprising, it has left me with a strong desire to get into the water, improve my swimming, and see what I can accomplish next.
I've always been fiercely competitive. But after completing 13 Ragnar Relays, 15 half marathons, and 4 full marathons, this race cemented a deeper truth for me. It really doesn’t matter what place you finish on the leaderboard. What matters is how you run your own race, stay true to your plan, and celebrate the fact that you competed to push your limits—values that I know Stan championed throughout his life.
Thank you so much again, I look forward to seeing you on the course!
Tim Childers
