Most athletes spend months preparing for their first triathlon, carefully selecting performance gear and nutrition strategies. James Miller took a different approach – he showed up in cutoff jean shorts and nearly won the whole thing.
At the fifth annual Tri CLE Rock Roll Run in Cleveland last weekend, Miller surprised more than 1,000 participants by finishing second overall in the Super Sprint triathlon while wearing jorts. His time of 44:47 put him just 47 seconds behind winner Graysen Blake, who clocked exactly 44 minutes in what was likely more conventional athletic wear.
The unusual wardrobe choice wasn’t a fashion statement – it was the result of a friendly wager gone wonderfully wrong. Back in February, Miller and his friend Luke Kim were at a Cavaliers game when they decided to challenge each other with a fitness competition to help maintain their exercise goals. The contest included pushups, pullups, and wall sits, with the loser facing a consequence that would keep them motivated.
Kim emerged victorious, which meant Miller had to register for Cleveland’s demanding triathlon and compete in the very jorts he was wearing that night at the game. What started as a lighthearted bet transformed into an impressive athletic achievement that left 163 other competitors trailing behind a man in denim.
The Super Sprint format proved no match for Miller’s determination, even with his unconventional attire. The race required participants to complete a 250-meter swim, tackle an 8.8-mile bike course with 250 feet of elevation change, and finish with a three-kilometer run – all while Miller’s jean shorts absorbed water, caught wind resistance, and likely chafed in ways that traditional tri-suits are specifically designed to prevent.
Miller’s performance becomes even more remarkable considering this was his first triathlon experience. While seasoned competitors around him sported aerodynamic helmets, moisture-wicking fabrics, and gear worth hundreds of dollars, Miller’s second-place finish in jorts will likely become the stuff of local triathlon legend.