Thom Gilligan not only runs Marathon Tours and travel, which is responsible for bringing so many overseas competitors to this year's Bermuda International Race Weekend, he is also the man who came up with the idea for the triple challenge event and took part in the inaugural event last year.

Last night he began his second Triangle Challenge and completed the mile in a time that was nine seconds off what he achieved in 2008. Nevertheless, he is delighted with how things are going in regards to the growing appeal of the Challenge.

"There are 65 people from Chicago Endurance Sports (CES), including Mike Norman who runs CES with Jenny Hadfield. Mike was second in his mile heat last night. Jenny is a close friend and I talked to her about Bermuda and about coming over."

A total of 51 Chicago athletes are taking part in the Triangle Challenge. Mr. Gilligan said: "We've just seen the beginning of this. It is good fun and so nice to be running here."