• Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor

Hartselle Enquirer
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Public Records
  • Madison County Record
  • Madison Living Magazine
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • About Us
  • List of Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a News Tip
  • Submit a Photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Engagement Announcement
  • Wedding Announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letter to the Editor
    Hartselle Enquirer
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
    Sparkman’s John Murray Earns All-American Status In Duathlon
    Sparkman junior John Murray has earned All-American status among the USA Triathlon organization after a top 10 finish at the Duathlon National Championships. Photo Contributed
    FRONT PAGE FEATURED, Madison, Madison County Record, Schools, Sparkman High School, Sports, Z - News Main
     By  Bob Labbe Published 
    4:25 pm Friday, September 10, 2021

    Sparkman’s John Murray Earns All-American Status In Duathlon

    HARVEST- Compared to most triathletes John Murray, Jr. is more or less a beginner in the world of triathlons. After all, he’s been in the three-skill competition for a mere 18 months, but has already distinguished himself to be among the best in his age group.

    The 16-year old Sparkman High junior spends much of his free time as a trombone player for the school’s marching band and has somehow found the time to dive head first into the sport of triathlons and duathlons. In May, Murray participated in the USA Triathlon Duathlon National Championships and finished fourth in the Male 15-19 age group with a time of 1-hour, 17-minutes, and 53-seconds in the duathlon event thus earning USA All-American status for finishing among the top 10.

    “The heat index was pushing 105-degrees so I decided to pace myself in the first of two run events so I would save my energy for the second run of the event that follows the bike ride,” said Murray of his performance in the title event held in Tuscaloosa. ”The bike ride was fun as the course had one hill. In the second run I was hot and tired. As I came to the last tenth of a mile I sprinted to the finish line. The run was pretty along the nearby waterway.”

    The National Championships were held in the Tennessee River Walk along the Black Warrior River. The event featured a 5K run, a 16-mile bike ride finishing with a second run of 2 miles. Overall there were over 200 participants in the race with 10 of those in the age group that Murray partook, as he was one of the youngest in his division.

    The son of John and Ingrid Murray did not begin his quest of greatness in the sport until March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was in the midst of beginning. The father of one his best friends, William Davidson who attends James Clemens High and is on the school’s cross country team, was participating in a triathlon and the two friends agreed to begin training in the sport along the streets of their neighborhood. Murray soon joined the local cycling club and began weekly bike rides of at least 80-miles. Murray added, “I have an indoor trainer and I hook up my bike to the device and I’m able to ride even more indoors. For my swimming training I go to the Wellness Center at Madison Hospital about once a week for no less than 1,000 yards of workouts.”

    Murray also runs in 5K and 10K races and just recently won his age group at the 2021 Cotton Row Run in Huntsville. When time permits he also attends bike races as part of the Southern Velo Cycling Team. The 100-member organization is based in nearby Chattanooga, Tenn. As for triathlons, the 5-foot-8, 120-pound has participated in seven three-skill races and likes the competitiveness of each of the triathlons and duathlons races. The sporting events are a far fetch from the sports of both baseball and flag football he once played, and with his recent success within his new sport of choice his continued training and possible additional success will carry him to heights he never dreamed of.

    His path to success has included some pitfalls like the one he suffered on June 13 in Panama City, Fla. While on a bike ride he hit some heavy sand and toppled to the ground suffering injuries to his side and hip. Recovery lasted three weeks.

    “I was happy with my overall race experience in Tuscaloosa and I know I could have done better,” said Murray who carries a 4.0 grade point average. “I plan on going back next year and being faster.”

    Murray is a two-time All-District horn player for the Sparkman band. With the addition of the athletic recognition he feels confident in whatever he puts forth his efforts.

    Also on The Madison Record
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    A: Main, Events, Lifestyles, ...
    Lemonade Stand for St. Jude
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    KADIE VICK kadie@themadisonrecord.com 
    July 10, 2025
    MADISON - Two local girls in fifth and sixth grade are selflessly using time during their summer break to raise money for a great cause. Landri Kruse ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    Bob Labbe 
    July 9, 2025
    HARVEST - With his sights set on attending college within weeks, Joe Quez Keith has a major event he has prepped for that has occupied his entire summ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    A: Main, Events, Lifestyles, ...
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut this Saturday in Madison with Little Booths Market Day. Little Boot...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Quamae Jackson’s job carries personal importance in his life. Teachers and staff at Discovery Middle School selected Jackson as “Staff Membe...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Mill Creek Elementary School is home to numerous toxophilites . . . but there’s no cause for alarm. In fact, the campus is fortunate to have...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Madison City Chess League youth augment skills at summer meets
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Madison City Chess League youth augment skills at summer meets
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Chess players can avoid the ‘summer slide’ and keep their skills sharpened with numerous tournaments across Alabama and in other states. “Ar...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Shakespeare in the Garden returns to Huntsville Botanical Garden
    Events, Lifestyles, Madison County Record, ...
    Shakespeare in the Garden returns to Huntsville Botanical Garden
    Annual tradition making Shakespeare’s plays accessible
    Maria Rakoczy 
    July 9, 2025
    HUNTSVILLE - A midsummer night’s dream becomes reality with Huntsville Shakespeare. Set to a backdrop of golden hour at the amphitheater at the Huntsv...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Hallman, Auffenorde, Bartley and therapeutic art set for Blue Apple Books in July
    Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Hallman, Auffenorde, Bartley and therapeutic art set for Blue Apple Books in July
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Nail-biting literary drama, self-help and healthy relaxation are on the July schedule at Blue Apple Books. Alabama author Jennifer Hallman o...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Get Legals or Public Notices Published
    Latest Local News
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    MADISON - Two local girls in fifth and sixth grade are selflessly using time during their summer break to raise money for a great cause. Landri Kruse ...
    July 10, 2025
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    HARVEST - With his sights set on attending college within weeks, Joe Quez Keith has a major event he has prepped for that has occupied his entire summ...
    July 9, 2025
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut this Saturday in Madison with Little Booths Market Day. Little Boot...
    July 9, 2025
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    MADISON – Quamae Jackson’s job carries personal importance in his life. Teachers and staff at Discovery Middle School selected Jackson as “Staff Membe...
    July 9, 2025
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    MADISON – Mill Creek Elementary School is home to numerous toxophilites . . . but there’s no cause for alarm. In fact, the campus is fortunate to have...
    July 9, 2025

    More Local News

    Our Latest E-edition
    Read the most recent edition
    Latest Stories
    Flow&Grow hosts second Flow Jam on July 26
    Flow&Grow hosts second Flow Jam on July 26
    HUNTSVILLE - Huntsville Flow&Grow provides a community for locals who practice flow arts with weekly meetings and an upcoming Flow Jam. “I was rea...
    July 9, 2025
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    HUNTSVILLE - For eight consecutive days, the top under 16 girls tennis players in the United States will spring to action at the Athletic Club of Alab...
    July 9, 2025
    Declining gas prices buck annual trend and earlier expectations
    Declining gas prices buck annual trend and earlier expectations
    MADISON - Bucking earlier expectations for mid-summer, gas prices have continued to decline. Even though the cost for gas locally has risen some since...
    July 8, 2025
    Limestone Co. Sheriff’s Office: Violent felon arrested with weapon, stolen identities in multi-state fraud case
    Limestone Co. Sheriff’s Office: Violent felon arrested with weapon, stolen identities in multi-state fraud case
    LIMESTONE COUNTY - According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, a Birmingham man with a violent criminal history was arrested after detectives ...
    July 8, 2025
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    poll
    Latest Sports
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    HARVEST - With his sights set on attending college within weeks, Joe Quez Keith has a major event he has prepped for that has occupied his entire summ...
    July 9, 2025
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    HUNTSVILLE - For eight consecutive days, the top under 16 girls tennis players in the United States will spring to action at the Athletic Club of Alab...
    July 9, 2025
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...
    June 18, 2025
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    MADISON - Since birth, Mitch Daly has always been on the move as his father, Ed, is a four-star general in the U.S. Army causing him to pack up his wi...
    May 26, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Business
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Business
      • Sponsored Content

    Other Publications

    Madison Living Logo Living 50 Plus Logo

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , The Madison Record