Latest News
Connor Emeny completed world first feat Iron-Distance Triathlon on all seven continents in 2024.
Photo courtesy Visher Marapa
Connor Emeny, Ironman Global quest
By Joe Leary
Published 11:42 PDT, Fri September 13, 2024
—
For Connor Emeny, there are seemingly no limits. Having set a World Record for becoming the youngest person ever to complete an Ironman competition on six continents at 26 years of age—he felt compelled to next set his sights one level higher by tackling the foreboding and ominous terrain of Antarctica.
The idea of even doing an Ironman came about in 2016 after a friend pulled off such a feat.
“I just couldn’t comprehend it,” he says of the triad of events that involves swimming 3.9km, biking 180km and running 42.2km.
“All in one day—it sounded simply impossible.
“I was shocked and inspired at the same time.
“I never heard of the sport before that or knew anyone who did something that intense and when I Googled Ironman, it said it was the hardest single day sporting event on the planet.
Having always been of a competitive nature, Emeny texted that friend eight years ago to offer congratulations, but with a caveat. “I said 'Thanks for the inspiration'; I too will do an Ironman by 2020. “I knew it would take me that long to train for it and so that’s what I did... my first Ironman, New Zealand in 2020”.
Little did he know then that would lead him on an Ironman quest around the globe.
The Ironman is an intense competition; consisting of three equally-grueling disciplines. And for the competitors, each element contains its own challenges.
“For me, swimming was not natural,” says Emeny. “Swimming took me a long time to learn and is something that requires a lot of attention to detail to get good at.
“I remember I could barely swim 3 or 4 laps without being out of breath so I actually self-taught myself on YouTube by watching tutorials on open water swimming, learning techniques, tips and tricks for getting faster.
“Biking came more naturally and I grew up running”.
Having achieved the goal of completing an Ironman, Emeny decided to raise the bar and not only go again, but compete on all four corners of the world.
“I wanted to leave a legacy for my family and do something truly remarkable with my life,” he says.
“A Triathlon has never been completed on all seven continents and when I was completing my 6th race in Brazil, I was constantly thinking: What’s Next.
“The idea wouldn’t leave my mind.
“The difference between Antarctica and all the others was, this time, it’s not a race—no 2000 competitors to encourage you, fans to hype you up or aid stations to refuel.
It’s just me and Mother Nature in the most remote and coldest continent in the world. That global goal was accomplished earlier this year.
“On Feb. 21, 2024 I completed the world first feat of an Iron-Distance Triathlon on all seven continents. Suffice it to say it was no easy task.
“Swimming 3.9km in ice water; riding 180km on a Fat tire bike and running a marathon in the most remote place on earth, was grueling.
“It took me just over 32 hours of non-stop effort to complete”.
When all was said and done, Emeny had achieved a seemingly unreachable goal, but became a record holder in the process. “The feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming, yet fleeting,” he says.
“For a brief moment I felt on top of the world; seeing through a dream.
“Shortly after, I felt lost and empty because I had so much purpose on that quest.
“I woke up every day knowing exactly what I was working towards and in retrospect, that’s the real joy of life: the daily grind and journey towards a goal; not actually achieving it.
“But after some time of feeling lost, I knew I needed a new goal to work towards and the fire was reborn with the idea of Antarctica. So again, I went ALL IN on the dream”.
Antarctica is massive, desolate and the land mass is bigger than Africa and Europe combined.
“Being down there surrounded by penguins, whales and icebergs 60 meters tall makes you feel so small,” says Emeny.
“It’s humbling and magical at the same time”.
Not one to rest on his laurels, the affable triathalete is busily engaged on an extension of his worldwide feat.
“We are working on a documentary titled Chasing Antarctica to share with the world,” he says.
“It’s a story of human endurance, self-belief and power of community”.
As for Emeny’s next challenge—it appears to be the most adventurous yet.
“I have my eyes set on the World’s Toughest Row—3000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, which takes on average 45 days to complete”.
It’s remarkable to witness the lengths some go to in life; to test their limits and never rest on their laurels.
Emeny is one such example of the human spirit.
“This journey has taught me anything is possible if you believe,” he says.
“It’s taught me the power of teamwork, resilience and leadership.
The world needs more dreamers now than ever so I challenge people around me to Dare to Dream and do whatever it takes to make it happen.
“I hope my journey and life is a living example of what it means to go ALL IN and helps spark purpose in those around me”.
It’s an inspiring story to be certain.
You can learn more at chasingantarctica.com
X-@reallyjoeleary • Instagram@joeleary
2 Hours of free financial consulting
Jai Xin Planning Ltd.
C$120.00 C$0.00
Use any of our home staging service and get a second month rental for free!
MiiX Interiors
C$500.00 C$0.00
Get 10% off any order
Phantom Screens Lower Mainland
C$200.00 C$180.00
