You could have the fastest triathlon bicycle in the world but, in most cases, if the two-wheel pedalist doesn’t have a strong belief system, it might all go for naught.
In the case of Perkasie’s Elijah Barker, he comes from a family with a deep-rooted conviction in the existence of a higher power.
Witness what took place this past Sunday at the 22nd annual Steelman Triathlon in and around Lake Nockamixon, just south of Quakertown.
Barker, 19, who finished third overall in the 2025 Steelman, went into this year’s competition determined to do himself one better. Or two.
And he did.
While his times for the 0.9-mile swim and 6.2-mile run leg were excellent, it was his bike performance that blew the field away.
Twenty-five miles in just over 50 minutes, which came out to an average of 26.1 miles per hour.
There are e-bikes that don’t go that fast.
Part of this success story goes to Barker’s elite fitness level. But another part goes to a credence that success comes through living an honest, purposeful existence.
“I’d say a lot of faith,” he explained in a phone interview. “There’s a Bible saying, ‘if your faith is not enduring, you will not endure.’+”
Barker attends Liberty, a Christian university, in Virginia.
“My life is definitely centered on faith,” the Central Bucks West graduate said. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without Jesus.”
Elijah has an uncle who is a chaplain in the United States Air Force and another who is a church pastor.
As an 18-year-old, Barker made the Steelman podium a year ago but that finish didn’t leave him satisfied. Even though the winner, Tim Synowiec, holds the U.S. high school record for the marathon (2:22.50), Barker thought there was more in his legs and arms.
By the way, Synowiec now runs for Oklahoma State.
“I was trying to win last year,” Barker admitted. “A race is a race, I’m as hungry as ever.”
He can say that again. On Sunday he finished in a brisk overall time of 1:51.49, almost three minutes clear of runnerup Michael Phinney of Bonita Springs, Fla.
As a triathlete, Barker comes from a perfect sports background at CBW.
He ran cross country in the fall, track in the spring and competed in swimming in between.
And now he’s cycling for Liberty.
Barker managed to compete for his high school in the state swimming championships and that’s a big help in triathlon because that might be the most demanding segment. Training requires pool time as well as just finding a place to work out in the water in the first place.
Next up in September for Barker: The World Half-Ironman 70.3-Mile Triathlon Championships in Nice, France.
“That’s my next big race,” he said. “I know it’s a long shot but if I get a pretty good result I could get my professional card. Which at 19 would be pretty epic. We’ll see how that race goes.”
He’s got about a month left before college classes resume, so right now he’s just trying to sharpen up his training in certain areas.
Some of that fine-tuning came in the Steelman. Like on the bike, where that 26 MPH looked pretty close to pro standard.
He has a Giant brand Trinity model with all the bells and whistles. He knows how to make some beautiful music with it. Supplying the power is essential to a strong segment as well.
“It (the bike) definitely plays a big part for sure,” he said. “I think the faster the bike you have. . .if you have an aerodynamic bike, it plays a part the faster you go. The bike does play a huge part, for sure. The power in that bike works hand in hand (with cyclist fitness).”
Would he ever consider turning pro someday, perhaps either before or after graduating college?
“It would be a dream come true, to go professional,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of hard work to be done. I still need to grow a little bit. I’m still only 19 and you don’t reach your peak until you’re about 27, 28.
“Down the road I’d like to get into Ironman. You peak in the Ironman in your early 30s. So I still have a while to go. But it’s definitely something I’m striving for.”
Anything’s possible, especially when one believes it can be done.
>Race calendar
Saturday, Aug. 26
26th annual Ivyland 5K, 8:30 a.m., Ivyland. Contact www.ivyland5k.org
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