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The IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset on Sunday, consisted of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile cycle and a 13.1 mile half marathon
It was Billy’s final major training event before taking on 140.6 mile IRONMAN World Championship challenge in Kona, Hawaii, in October
In Kona he will attempt to break the IRONMAN World Championship triathlon record for a double leg amputee to raise vital funds for Comic Relief funded projects
Billy's journey will also be filmed as part of a documentary, airing on BBC One and iPlayer
Money raised will help vital Comic Relief funded projects provide practical support to those facing their own tough challenges here in the UK and across the world: from giving children and young people the best start in life, to providing a safe place when someone needs it most, to helping families meet their basic needs
Follow Billy’s journey and support him at www.comicrelief.com/billyironchallenge(opens in new window)
Monday 16 September: As the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, fast approaches, broadcaster and former racing driver Billy Monger has overcome a significant milestone by completing a 70.3 IRONMAN along Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. This pivotal moment in his preparation is the biggest training hurdle he will overcome before attempting to set a new IRONMAN World Championship course record for a double leg amputee in October, all whilst raising vital funds for Comic Relief.
Billy's mission, announced in July, is to not only break the IRONMAN World Championship triathlon course record but also to become the youngest double leg amputee to complete the full course on prosthetic legs. His journey aims to raise money to support Comic Relief funded projects both here in the UK and across the world. From supporting children and young people, to providing safe spaces for those in danger, and helping to give families the support they need to meet their basic needs.
Billy’s 70.3 mile half IRONMAN triathlon in Weymouth included a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run – testing every aspect of Billy’s training over the past twelve months. Battling the cold waters of the English Channel, this was his toughest challenge yet, and gave him glimpse into the scale of the challenge awaiting him in Kona, where he will need to complete double the distance in weather conditions reaching 35 degrees.
Billy’s commitment has demanded he make rigorous adjustments to his diet, sleep, and daily routines. Throughout this intense preparation, Billy’s family, including his mum, dad and sister have been with him every step of the way, offering unwavering support. His sister Bonnie has been constantly by his side, motivating and encouraging him during every swim, cycle, and run. Together, the whole Monger family have been helping Billy navigate the highs and lows of his training, ensuring he’s ready for the ultimate test in Kona.
Billy Monger said: “Taking on the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon along the Jurassic Coast was a huge test of my training. The open water swim, tough cycle routes and marathon were harder than I expected, and I know Kona will be an even bigger challenge. This was my last major hurdle before the full IRONMAN, and I’m feeling ready to give it everything I’ve got!”
The money Billy raises during his challenge of a lifetime will help vital Comic Relief funded projects provide practical support to those facing their own tough challenges, here in the UK and across the world. From giving children and young people the best start in life, to providing a safe place when someone needs it most, to helping families meet their basic needs.
To follow Billy Monger’s epic journey, and to support him along the way, visit www.comicrelief.com/billyironchallenge(opens in new window)
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity that uses the power of entertainment and popular culture to work towards a vision of a just world free from poverty. We raise money to support organisations that are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will tackle the impact of poverty, injustice, conflict, and climate change in the UK and around the world.
Since launching in 1985, we have raised over £1.6 billion thanks to the huge generosity and kindness of the public and our partners.
For more information on our work, visit www.comicrelief.com or follow @comicrelief on X(opens in new window) (formerly Twitter), Facebook(opens in new window), Instagram(opens in new window), LinkedIn(opens in new window) and TikTok(opens in new window) for the latest content and news.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
About Billy Monger
Few people embody triumph over adversity as much as Billy Monger.
A promising young racing driver, Billy Monger was critically injured in a high speed collision while racing in Formula 4 which left him with both legs amputated. Despite the severity of the injuries, Billy Whizz, as he is nicknamed, refused to give up on his racing career, lobbying motorsport’s governing body to allow both disabled and non-disabled drivers to race along- side each other.
On his return to racing he went on to score podiums in British F3 and win the famous Pau Grand Prix in European F3 and is currently still setting his sights on achieving his dream of racing in Formula 1.
Billy’s incredible return to motorsport after his tragic accident that left him with both legs amputated was a huge moment across the world of sport. But his dedication, irrepressible self-belief and determination, in the face of unimaginable adversity, to get back behind the wheel of a racing car has shown him to be an inspiration to all athletes, disabled and non-disabled alike. He won the BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award and had a BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary made about his incredible return to racing. In 2021 he completed a challenge for Comic Relief raising over £3million for charity.
He is currently a presenter and pundit for Channel 4's coverage of the Formula One and Paralympics and Formula E on TNT.
About the IRONMAN World Championship
Since its inception in 1978 on the Island of O`ahu, the IRONMAN World Championship® triathlon has etched its name in history through stellar performances, inspirational participants and emotional memories. In 1981, the race moved from the tranquil shores of Waikīkī to the barren lava fields of Kona on the Island of Hawai`i. The most iconic one-day sporting event in the world is the culmination of 40 global IRONMAN events with over 94,000 athletes around the world striving for one of the coveted qualifying slots. The 2021 edition of the event took place in St. George, Utah in May 2022, becoming the first location to host the event outside of Hawai`i since its origins in 1978. After a two-year hiatus from Hawai`i due to COVID, the race returned to Kailua-Kona in 2022 and for the first time took place as a two-day event. The 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship race continued with the two-day format but with two different host locations and dates (Nice, France in September and Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i in October), to allow for a dedicated world championship race for women and dedicated world championship race for men. The cumulative event hosted over 4,000 athletes embarking on a 140.6-mile journey that presents the ultimate test of body, mind, and spirit to earn the title of IRONMAN World Champion. In 2024, the women will rotate to Nice, France while the men return to Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i for their respective world championship host locations. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship(opens in new window).
About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB®, Tarawera Ultra-Trail™ by UTMB® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, providing participants the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group(opens in new window).
