Chris Mosier tore up the course at the U.S. Duathlon National Championship over the weekend in Cary, N.C. Mosier placed second in his 35-39 age group and finished 50th overall with a time of 02:40:27.

He also earned a spot on the 2018 Duathlon Long Course national team.

For the trans athlete, accomplishing this in North Carolina was particularly sweet.

“The best revenge is a life well lived,” he wrote on Instagram. “I raced the long course duathlon national championship today – in North Carolina – so after the race I took this photo, scars out, to celebrate being a transgender athlete and placing 2nd in my age group. My goal this year was to get on the podium at a National Championship race. The fact that it happened here is extra special.”

Mosier said he considered not competing out of protest.

“I had a choice of whether to compete. This is a once a year chance to make Team USA, and I did not want to miss my opportunity because of the scare tactics and culture of fear politicians are cultivating in the state. I wanted to attend in protest, and do well.”

We’re so glad he did! Having LGBT people participate and compete is a powerful protest in and of itself.

Moving the event or refusing to participate would be a much more appropriate protest for a so-called “ally.”

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