“It’s never too late to make a comeback” is the message Blue Ridge local AJ Petrillo exudes.
Despite a near-decade hiatus from the sport, Petrillo is among the best in the world when it comes to competing in triathlons.
Coming in as the eighth overall American at the XTERRA World Championship September 26, 2024, he recently made his return to the sport just seven months ago.
Adding to his success in the championship, he placed 226 out of 823 competitors from 52 countries and placed 24th in the 45 to 49 age group.
The race involved a three-quarter mile swim, 32k bike and 10k run off road in the mountains of Trentino, Italy.
In 2017, Petrillo thought he had raced for the last time, stepping away to focus on his family and career.
“I never thought I’d be competitive again,” Petrillo looked back.
It wasn’t until earlier this year that he began training again, thanks to encouragement from friend and local Josh Hennessey.
He has since competed in the XTERRA North American Championship in Alabama this past June and the XTERRA Bromont in Canada this past August.
Earning himself a spot in the world championship at Bromont he placed fourth out of 54 participants, and at the North American Championship, he placed 52 out of 254 participants.
In order to prepare and stay motivated, Petrillo said having a big race on his calendar helps.
Now his strong suit, he remembered his dad telling him, “Petrillos can’t run,” which he thinks of often while competing.
Above all, however, having the eyes of his seven-year-old son Wilder on him at all times is motivation enough. “Showing Wilder what it really means working toward a goal whether you’re tired...helps keep me motivated,” he said.
For Petrillo, training is like taking on a part-time job as it involves 15 to 16 hours a week, twice per day, and he has a coach to help plan workouts.
Growing up, Petrillo was, and still is, an active water and snow skier before taking up swimming his senior year of high school.
In 2007, he suffered a knee injury, which ultimately led to him getting involved in triathlons.
Recalling his first triathlon, he said, “It hurt really bad, but I thought, ‘Wow, this is the best thing I’ve ever done.’”
On the contrary, he noted how getting active again has helped him to “feel good, and aches and pains are going away.”
Over the course of his career, he has competed in six world championships in Maui and five half Ironman Championships all over the world.
Looking ahead, Petrillo is already planning out next year’s race schedule, and Wilder has even been training alongside him.
Wilder will be old enough to start competing in youth competitions next year, and they are looking forward to it, he said.
The two often train together, and during the past week while schools were on fall break, Wilder even joined his dad mountain biking and on a six-mile hike.
Petrillo encourages anyone thinking about competing to “just sign up for a race” as he’s seen it “change so many peoples lives.”