Sean Conway ends tri challenge after 105 irons in 105 days
Several days after breaking the record for the most iron-distance triathlons done on consecutive days, Sean Conway finally hangs up his running shoes and swim cap
Endurance athlete Sean Conway has finally called time on his iron challenge after completing 105 long-distance triathlons in 105 days.
Sean set the new world record for the most number of iron-distance triathlons completed on consecutive days on Thursday 20 July, after he finished his 102nd day.
That put him clear of James Lawrence’s (AKA, the Iron Cowboy) previous record, which had been 101 long-distance triathlons in 101 days.
However, last Friday Sean appeared at the swimming pool on day 103 having decided to do an extra one, just as James had done when setting the previous record.
Arriving at the pool that morning, Sean said: “Up until yesterday, I had to do them. Now I want to see if I can cope doing them when I don’t have to do them. So we’ll see.”
Despite a bit of a hangover, Sean proceeded to smash out another iron-distance triathlon, finishing with a time of 15 hours and 12 minutes.
Let the people decide
At the end of the day, he shared a poll on his Instagram, asking his followers if he should do another.
The answer was a resounding yes, so, low and behold, he was up at the crack of dawn on day 104 to do another, which he finished in 14 hours and 38 minutes.
Just how many more would he do? Well, from this point on, Sean decided to leave that up to chance, flipping a coin each night to see if he should go out the next day.
And as chance would have it, the coin said he should go for day 105, which he dutifully did. His time? An impressive 14 hours and five minutes.
Heads or tails
Posting at the end of the day he said: “When I awoke this morning I was convinced this would be my last day. I knew all the regulars would be out because it’s a Sunday and I thought it would be the perfect day to end.
“Then as the day progressed I suddenly realised I don’t want it to end. It’s hard to explain. I feel like I have a job that no one else in the world gets to have.
“Yes, the job is hard and relentless. But it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done and the community that’s been created around Iron102 will be the lasting legacy of this challenge for sure.
“So I’m not going to make the decision to stop myself. I’ll let the universe decide with another coin toss.”
On day 106, as has been the case for over 100 days, Sean posted another video of himself walking into Mold Leisure Centre in his pyjamas, only this time there was a bell waiting for him with the accompanying sign no longer showing a number, but two words: the end.
As it happened, the coin toss went the other way, marking the end of this remarkable feat of endurance.
For a closer look at what went into this challenge, pick up the August issue of 220 Triathlon, where we follow Sean around on day 58.
Top image credit: Justin Fletcher
Rob Slade
