‘First-place loser’ belt highlights strong father-son bond heading into Ironman race

MOYOCK, N.C. (WAVY) — As the saying always goes, the winner gets the prize.

However, that isn’t the case for the Mitchell family. In fact, Michael and Mike Mitchell don’t believe in that philosophy at all.

Michael Mitchell is a 58-year-old former Navy SEAL, while his son, Mike Mitchell, is a 36-year-old veteran of the Marine Corps. The two of them decided while Mike was in high school at Green Run that they would compete in triathlons together — specifically in Ironman triathlons.

This year, the two will head to Lake Placid, New York for their fifth triathlon since 2014, where a “first-place loser” belt will be on the line.

The belt has been around since their first IronMan in 2014, and it’s never changed hands. Mike, while being younger by 22 years, has never been able to give his father the belt after a triathlon.

But more than anything, this belt and these events have enabled the two to build an even closer bond, with stories they’ll be able to laugh about forever.

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