6 Ironman Triathlon races in 6 days

On the morning of 14 August, Matthew Johnson, 31, began his challenge of Project 7. The goal was 7 full-distance Ironman triathlons in 7 consecutive days, raising money for Valorfit, a USA-based charity that supports veterans with group fitness facilities.

About the challenge

The full-distance Ironman triathlon includes a 3.8km (2.4 mile) swim, 180km (112 mile) cycle, and a 42.2km (26.2 mile) run. Whilst this challenge was named Project 7, Johnson went on to complete 6 out of the 7. Over 7 days, across all three disciplines, Johnson covered 1,446km (899 miles), whilst averaging 5 hours 40 minutes of sleep per night.

Who is Matthew Johnson?

Johnson, from Austin, Texas, was born and raised in Des Moines, a small town in Iowa, and raised by a single mother. Johnson served in the U.S. Army for 10 years. Speaking on social media, Johnson said: “I am no different than any of you. I’m just a kid who loved to try. I’m just a kid who wouldn’t give up”. ‘There is more to process than the miles, the times, the heart rates and data. The finish is certain; the path is not”.

Johnson and his team raised $50,000 for Valorfit.

Take a look at @matthewjohnson on Instagram to find out more about this challenge.

Runlore editors’ notes

The twists and turns of a path, getting you from point A to point B, are uncertain; the highs and lows of our moods, friendships, motivation and discipline all shape the stories we are creating. This makes capturing the story such an important part of the process. Well done, Matthew.

Photography credit: @matthewjohnson on Instagram