Former professional cyclist turned professional triathlete, Tyler Butterfield pulled out one of the best performances of his career with a sensational second-place finish at the 5430 Long Course Triathlon in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Bermudian, who lives and trains in Boulder, finished runner-up in a massive field of more than 1,100.

More than 100 entrants failed to finish the treacherous but spectacular course over the Rocky Mountains which included a 1.2 mile swim, 56-mile cycle and 13.1 mile run. The event is recognised as a Half-Ironman.

Butterfield represented Bermuda in triathlon as an amateur at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 before turning to full-time cycling where for some three years he was based in France and the USA. During that time he cycled for Bermuda at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

He reverted to triathlon more than a year ago and has impressed on the pro circuit.

Dipping under the four-hour mark in the Half-Ironman is considered exceptional and on Sunday the Bermudian did just that.

He was 19th out of the water (27 minutes and 54 seconds) and then used his cycling experience to move up the field, covering the 56-mile ride in two hours, five minutes and 53 seconds – the third fastest time.

But he was even better over the half-marathon run, clocking the second fastest time of one hour, 16 minutes and 15 seconds to finish in an overall time of three hours, 51 minutes and 44 seconds.

That left him some six minutes behind champion Timothy O'Donnell who came home in 3:45:51 (25.34-2:03:34-1:15:16).

Third place went to Leon Griffin in 3:53.08.

Butterfield, who is married to professional cyclist Nikki Egyed, was back in Bermuda earlier this year when he finished second to Chris Estwanik in the May 24 Marathon Derby.

Close friend and former Bermuda triathlon champion Greg Hopkins said yesterday that Butterfield would consider his latest performance one of his best since turning pro.

"It was a terrific effort," said Hopkins. "I know he's been training really hard and after this his confidence will be up."