Finally. It's the day. THE day everyone had been waiting for. The day when all the many hours of hard training would be tapped. After many months... the pulled muscles and lost toenails... The skipped social events because early morning workouts took precedent...

The Jonathan Rohr Memorial Tinman Competition had finally arrived.

Top athletes had landed on the island. Local stars have been training and training and training. Many of Antigua's own took the challenge. A few brave souls took on the entire race.  Many signed up in teams because any one of the three legs of the Tinman: swimming 1.2 miles, cycling 56 miles and running 13.1 miles, is enough to challenge the fittest of our friends.

Who amongst circles of friends would gain bragging rights as the fastest? Who would falter? Who would surprise everyone? Today would be the day for all the answers...

This first set of photos was taken taken by professional photographer Shelly Chadburn. Shelly captured the pre-race with athletes warming up, stretching, getting gear in order, psyching each other and wishing the best for their idols and friends alike. As well, the end of this gallery is the start of the race. Photographer Shawn SoShoot captured the start from a different vantage point. Be sure to watch the full gallery right to the end. Catch the last couple shots as Shawn shows the start of the race with Shelly caught right in the middle — in the splash — as eager athletes launched into the ocean for the grueling 1.2 mile swim in Falmouth.

Links to the Galleries

• Part one of the day's Tinman photos: The Tinman Competition: pre-race and the dramatic start.
• Part two of the day's Tinman photos: The Tinman Competition: Swimmers.
• Part three of the day's Tinman photos: The Tinman Competition: Cyclists part one (first half of cyclists).
• Part three of the day's Tinman photos: The Tinman Competition: Cyclists part two (second half of cyclists).

Click the link below to enjoy the first gallery of the day: