At the beginning of 2021, Malachi Henry set a goal of achieving professional status in the sport of triathlon.
Last week, Henry reached that goal. Following his second-place finish in the Clash Daytona Race earlier this month, he received his pro triathlon elite card.
“I had looked into it early on in the year because it was a goal of mine that I hadn’t told many people because I didn’t know all the possibilities,” Henry said. “I just raced to race and was glad I came in second because it’s a blessing, and I’m very fortunate and excited next year to line up with some of the strongest athletes. I don’t have too many expectations, but I will push the limits and see what I can do.”
The Clash Daytona Race was a 70.3 Half Ironman (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run). Henry estimates he did about 10 triathlons of various lengths this year.
“Putting the whole season together and ending it the way I did, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Henry said. “Turning pro just opens the possibilities of sponsors and competing with the best and also adding to the community of hosting events and bringing everybody together. My ultimate goal is just to build triathlon in Columbus and give back to all those that helped me succeed.”
In the Dec. 5 race at Daytona Beach, Florida, Henry finished second overall and first in the men’s 30-34 age group in 4 hours, 2 minutes, 6 seconds.
“Everything just came together,” Henry said. “The swim was decent, the bike was solid and the run was good. We had a big group from Columbus go down there, and it’s always nice when you have that support.”
Several other members of the local Tri-812 triathlon club competed in the Clash Daytona race, including Henry’s father Max, who placed second in the men’s 65-69 age group on his 68th birthday.
“Since it was my birthday and Malachi doing so well and turning pro, which he’s been shooting for, it was a most pleasurable day and a happy birthday for me,” Max Henry said.
Also in the 70.3 Half Iroman, Joe Calandro finished seventh in the men’s 40-44 age group in 4:34.17. Jeff Scholar was 23rd in the men’s 50-54 age group in 5:17.55.
A day earlier, four Tri-812 members competed in a sprint triathlon (half-mile swim, 13-mile bike, 5K run) at the Clash Daytona Race. Jim Lewis finished ninth in the men’s 60-64 division in 1:27:31, Ashley Nickol took 13th in the women’s 35-39 division in 1:41:42 and Isaac Reed was 18th in the men’s 45-49 division in 1:24:46.
That same day, Ursula Conley won women’s 35-39 division in the duathlon (1-mile run, 13-mile bike, 5K run) in 1:12:42.
“They turned in great times,” Max Henry said. “We all supported each other and had fun. We did great.”
Malachi Henry, Calandro and Max Henry are among seven Tri-812 triathletes who earned All-World status at the completion of the 2021 season. Malachi Henry, Calandro and Ben Weaver (men’s 50-54 age group) achieved Gold Status. Matt Greer (men’s 35-39 age group) earned Silver Status, and Max Henry, Jennifer Suverkrup (women’s 35-39 age group) and Kasey Coleman (men’s 30-34 age group) achieved Bronze Status.
Malachi Henry said the Tri-812 club is open to anyone interested in endurance sports or trail running. Some of the club members meet to swim on Sunday afternoons in the spring, summer and fall at Max Henry’s home on Grandview Lake. This winter, some of them are swimming at Foundation For Youth.
“The club is looking forward to next year,” Max Henry said. “We’re starting to have swim practices during the winter, and we’re looking for new members always.”
