It all began for Matt when he started swimming competitively at age six. Matt’s year around swimming brought him to UNCW where he swam for four years. He was a mountain biker and runner in high school and “it was sort of a natural progression to move into triathlons.” Matt’s first race was the Topsail Surf & Turf Triathlon and we have been chasing him ever since. He thanks his parent’s for their support and believing in him. He also, acknowledges the great people he works with for their flexibility when his schedule gets busy. Matt is particularly proud of his 2007 Duke Liver Center Half race where he flatted and decided not to call it quits. He got a spare wheel from the tech car and finished the race far back in field and after completing a very difficult run course. Matt’s older brother his source of inspiration. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma a month after he and his wife had their first child. Six months of treatment later he was in full recovery. Matt sites his brother’s strength and character as a testament to his family. In Matt’s own words, ” he works harder than anyone I know, and I am proud to be his brother.” You can see Matt racing this year, locally, at the Bandits Challenge and, nationally, in Portland, OR for the Under 23 National Championships with the best the sport has to offer.
Training Tips:
“Unless I am dead on the side of the road, I will always finish the race.” – Matt Wisthoff