The mud might now have settled after the Precision Gas & Hydration IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships held final month in Spain, however the indelible mark that race day has made on those that entered is a life altering expertise. Athletes from all walks of life, to not point out particular person psychological and bodily challenges, headed to Marbella to make that iconic 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim, 56-mile (90km) bike trip and 13.1-mile (21.1km) run in November to check the sting of their limits.
So, to search out out extra, M&F caught up with 4 inspiring athletes and found what motivated these folks to compete, and what they’ve realized from pushing themselves effectively past their consolation zone. Usually, the journey towards a contest is simply as inspirational as the ultimate efficiency itself.
Rafael Rivera
- Ending Time: 5:50:12
- Greatest IRONMAN 70.3 Concern: Distance
Rafael Rivera, 42, who was born in Mexico earlier than transferring to the U.S. weighed 300 kilos and struggled with alcoholism earlier than turning his life round with triathlon. What motivated Rivera essentially the most was the need to develop into a husband and father that his household could possibly be happy with. After banishing the booze, the changemaker has since dropped 150 kilos and has accomplished a number of IRONMAN and different endurance occasions. Having certified for the IRONMAN 70.3 Championship, he accomplished the race beneath the six-hour common, however Rivera’s efforts have at all times been extra targeted on conquering fears than world information.
Beginning out with triathlon, Rivera’s greatest concern was the space of the race itself. “The sheer scale—swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and working 26.2 miles consecutively—felt not simply laborious, however unimaginable,” he tells M&F. “It was a concern of failure that bordered on the concern of realizing how far I nonetheless needed to go. However finally, that terrifying impossibility is precisely what fueled my need to show my transformation was actual and irreversible.”
Rivera says that his participation within the championships has helped to switch concern with euphoria, a milestone made by years of coaching. “Concern has been fully changed by uncontrolled exhilaration,” he says proudly. For Rivera, making the hallowed end line is a win over his former life, “proving that deep, life-altering change is feasible.”
To observe Rafael Rivera’s progress on Instagram, click on right here.
Ryan Briscoe
- Ending Time: 4:56:05
- Greatest IRONMAN 70.3 Concern: The busy begin to the swim
Sydney, Australia’s Ryan Briscoe was knowledgeable automobile racer, competing in Europe and America, and attaining vital success as an IndyCar driver. He received nervy races just like the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2020, however progress with triathlon has fueled his adrenaline simply as a lot as life within a dashing automobile.
In his first triathlon, greater than twenty years in the past, Briscoe recollects that he was a bit of frightened in regards to the water. “I feel my greatest concern was how I’d deal with the commotion of the swim with a mass begin,” he tells M&F. To fight a sometimes-chaotic begin throughout swimming endurance occasions, Briscoe determined to navigate by future races with a greater plan. “Additionally, IRONMAN does such a pleasant job with the rolling begins, so there actually isn’t any stress in any respect,” he reassures these excited by dipping their very own toe within the water.
One other of Briscoe’s educated suggestions for correct prep is round meals and liquid consumption. “Diet stays so essential and tough due to the sheer period of time that you simply’re on the market,” he explains, however whereas the multisport athlete is keen to push himself, he shares {that a} life competing in endurance sports activities needn’t get in the way in which of a traditional residence life. “Balancing coaching with household time is most essential to me,” shares Briscoe. “This can be a pastime for me, and I can’t sacrifice lacking essential moments with my household. So, it’s all about good planning and infrequently coaching at odd hours of the day! We make it work!”
To observe Ryan Briscoe’s progress on Instagram, click on right here.
Corey Hawes
- Ending Time: 5:57:31
- Greatest IRONMAN 70.3 Concern: Exhaustion
Lexington, Kentucky’s Corey Hawes had been leaning into a number of endurance disciplines earlier than the IRONMAN 70.2. His story is one among defying the percentages. At 17 years of age, Hawes survived a critical automobile accident that nearly left him paralyzed. Following a six-month stint with a again brace, he determined to construct again stronger, surpassing medical expectations and finally correcting his spinal points largely attributable to his formidable coaching. Hawes has now competed in dozens of races however recollects the concern of cardio and muscular failure.
“Might I do it” he requested himself proper again at first of his IRONMAN journey. “I had achieved a couple of native dash triathlons, and a few longer ultramarathon runs, however by no means one thing so extended and with varied muscle and metabolic calls for,” he advised M&F. His recommendation to these on the fence about throwing their very own hat into the ring? “Do it!” he enthuses. “It’s a blast! Be ready and acknowledge that it’s a lifestyle. When you begin, there is no such thing as a turning again.”
With the 2026 Championships lately accomplished, Hawes is already setting his subsequent objectives. “I do know that I’ve smaller objectives to enhance on daily basis with purposeful threshold energy, power, and run break up objectives. As for the big aim, these subsequent few weeks of the low season is the place I spend my time dreaming up the subsequent neatest thing!”
To observe Corey Hawes’ progress on Instagram, click on right here.
Gregory Schaefer
- Ending Time: 5:57:31
- Greatest IRONMAN 70.3 Concern: The time calls for of coaching
Gregory Schaefer’s story is yet one more triumph of the human spirit, competing the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Championships with early onset Parkinson’s illness. “Consistency and sturdiness aren’t simply coaching ideas, they’re life ideas,” he tells M&F. “Through the years, triathlon has develop into much less about making ready for a single race and extra about constructing a physique and thoughts able to enduring no matter life arms me.” He’s positively on to one thing, as research (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35113386/) present endurance coaching has a constructive impact Parkinson’s, slowing the indicators of the situation.
“In some ways, the game ready me lengthy earlier than Parkinson’s entered the image,” shares Schaefer. “That analysis modified the whole lot, however oddly sufficient, it additionally made sense of the years I had spent constructing resilience, routine, and power. Train is the most effective drugs for Parkinson’s, and I genuinely can’t think about a greater prescription than triathlon. It looks like I’ve unknowingly been coaching for the lengthy race all alongside.”
It’s not simply the race that Schaefer relishes. There’s a complete neighborhood to be a part of, too. “Anticipate setbacks, as a result of they are going to come, but in addition prepare to affix probably the most supportive, welcoming communities you’ll ever encounter,” he tells M&F. “Triathlon embraces everybody: each tempo, each form, each background. I really like nothing greater than serving to a first-timer, as a result of even after 18 IRONMAN finishes, I nonetheless be taught one thing each single race.” Schaefer’s greatest concern had been that coaching would take over his world, however he figured it out. “Stability didn’t arrive in a single day,” he explains. “It got here from embracing the game, not as a season, however as a way of life.”
To observe Gregory Schaefer’s progress on Instagram, click on right here.
If you want to affix a dedicated neighborhood and really feel the identical psychological and bodily exhilaration as these inspirational athletes, it’s not too late to dream huge and work in direction of the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. Discover a qualifying occasion by clicking right here.