Triathlete completes race with teen with muscular dystrophy

DETROIT (WJBK) - The Motor City Triathlon on Belle Isle brought out a big crowd for a good cause this weekend. A 13-year-old boy with muscular dystrophy was one who made the journey -- with the help of an iron man.

Joseph Penrod has never been able to run, swim or ride a bike on his own, but with the help of family friend Scott Mitchell, he was able to cross the finish line.

"Anything that I can do to help out people that can't do this ... run for the kids that can't," says Mitchell. "So, to give them the experience of coming here with 700 other people that are doing this event and feel a part of it, it's totally worth it for me."

Joseph says he enjoyed the swimming portion of the triatholon the most.

"[The kayak] was pretty fast; there was a lot of water splashing up," he says.

When he was 5 years old, Joseph was diagnosed with Duchenne, a form of muscular dystrophy which robs him of his muscle function. There is no cure.

"By Scott carrying him in this triathlon, Scott has given him back some things that have been taken away from him," says Joseph's mother, Marissa. "I think it gives all of us wings. I think everybody who's here today is inspired by what Scott and Joseph do together."

"I've told people finishing an Iron Man was one of the biggest athletic achievements, but going across the finish line with him exceeds that," Mitchell says.

Nearly two dozen athletes representing Team Joseph took part in this year's Motor City Triathlon, raising thousands of dollars for the cause. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.teamjoseph.info.