The Bermuda Triathlon Association celebrated its annual awards ceremony at the beautiful Cambridge Beaches on March 10, 2026. This event highlighted the remarkable achievements of local athletes and recognized their hard work and dedication over the past year. With a blend of excitement and camaraderie, the triathlon community came together to honor their top performers.
Among the stars of the evening, Naomi MacGuinness was named the best female junior triathlete. Her impressive results included two gold medals at the Carifta Games in Tobago, a 13th place finish in Clermont, Florida, and a victory in the Clarien Ironkids 11-15 category. Rory Shepherd was also celebrated as the best male junior triathlete, having secured two gold medals in the 13 to 15 age group at the Carifta Triathlon & Aquathlon Championships and finishing fourth at the East Coast Triathlon Festival in Virginia.
Local and Overseas Achievements
The best local male triathlete award went to Jackson Langley, who had an outstanding year as the team captain of the Carifta squad. He clinched a silver medal in the mixed team relay and finished second in the Liberty Mutual Sprint National Championships. Maddie Durkin was recognized as the best local female triathlete, with her remarkable performance making her the first woman overall at the Western Mass 70.3 Half Ironman. Durkin also qualified for the World Championships in Spain, although she was unable to compete due to injury.
Nick Pilgrim and Erica Hawley were honored as the best overseas triathletes. Hawley achieved back-to-back podium finishes in World Cup races in Canada and placed 28th at the Elite World Championship Grand Final in Wollongong, Australia. Pilgrim made waves by competing in six major overseas races on the World Triathlon professional circuit and winning the Liberty Mutual Sprint National Championships before a training accident curtailed his 2025 season. Nonetheless, he qualified for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo in August.
Recognizing Growth and Dedication
Luke Hyland and Lesley Jane Smith were awarded the Most Improved honors, while Mike Evans and Esme Davidge were recognized as the best newcomers. The Jim Butterfield Long Service Award was presented to Geoff Smith, acknowledging his 15 years of dedicated service on the Bermuda Triathlon Association executive. Alec Shepherd was named the Club Person of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the community.
Special Achievement Awards were given to Ashley Couper and Marie-Lynn Dore for their impressive performances at the Lake Placid Ironman, which also qualified them for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. The success of MacGuinness and Shepherd at Carifta was once again highlighted, as both athletes contributed to the winning Carifta Triathlon team.
A Legacy of Excellence
The roots of Bermuda’s triathlon scene run deep, thanks in part to pioneers like Dave, who began competing in the 1980s and has been instrumental in developing the sport. He founded the Junior Triathlon Program and organized tours for young athletes to compete abroad. His contributions have shaped many successful careers in triathlon, including those of Flora Duffy and Tyler Butterfield.
Today, the Bermuda Triathlon Association continues to thrive, nurturing new talent and celebrating the achievements of its athletes. The vibrant community looks forward to another exciting year of competitions and events, building on the legacy established by those who came before.
For more information, visit the Bermuda Triathlon Association’s website and catch up with the latest updates in the world of triathlon.
To read more about the awards ceremony and the outstanding performances of the athletes, check out the detailed report here.