For a second year, super twins Callistus and Caleb, sons of Jayne and Paul Hughes from Enniskillen, crossed the Irish Sea to take part in the Superhero Tri on August 18 at Dorney Lake, Buckinghamshire.

The Superhero Tri is the only mass-participation triathlon event for people with a disability. It was founded by Paralympian Sophia Warner who strives to expand opportunities for disabled people and offer a completely inclusive sporting event. Participants were encouraged to take part in the triathlon with their families, as part of a team or as an individual.

Commenting on the experience Jayne said, “Our sons, who have cerebral palsy, are wheelchair dependent and their mobility is becoming trickier as they grow. Movement is such a gift and the whole sensory experience that goes with something like this – being in the water, on a boat, on the back of a bike – is simply brilliant.”

The Superhero twins, along with their Sidekicks of mum Jayne and cousin Katherine Armstrong, took part in the event as a team, which also included Great British triathlete Dan Johnson, event ambassador Stephan Couture and his daughter Chloe. During the triathlon, Callistus and Caleb were towed in kayaks by Dan and Sport Relief trainer Greg Whyte, while Katherine and Jayne swam behind. The boys were then pulled in chariots behind Jayne and Dan’s bikes before they were detached for the final push home. A highlight for the team was when all seven of them crossed the finish line together.

The twins also took part in a celebrity race where they joined the team of Billy ‘The Whizz’ Monger, the determined teen racing driver who got back behind the wheel only months after losing both of his legs in a high-speed crash last year.

Broadcaster Clare Balding was present at this year’s Superhero Tri and stated that she may have just attended the best sports event she has ever been to.

Highlights of the Superhero Tri were shown on Channel 4 on Saturday September 1 and featured clips of the local super twins succeeding in their triathlon challenge.