Billy Monger has become an inspiration to so many since the accident which changed his life, and now we can add another spectacular accomplishment to his growing list.
On Saturday in Hawaii, Billy took on the toughest test in triathlon – 140.6miles in brutal heat and humidity at IRONMAN Kona 2024 – to celebrate the 40th anniversary of annual UK charity event Comic Relief.
The 25-year-old former race car driver – now a popular TV presenter and personality, notably for Channel 4 F1 – had both his legs amputated after a near-fatal race crash in 2017, but he has not let the severity of his injuries stop him from pushing boundaries in sport.
Back racing within a year of his accident, Monger clinched podiums in British F3 races, and in 2021, made his first venture in endurance sport, raising £3 million for charity when he walked, cycled and kayaked across England in four days.
Billy takes on Kona test for Comic Relief
Raising vital funds for the charity, Billy raced the World Championship course in Hawaii as an IRONMAN Ambassador Athlete and had his sights set on the record for fastest double amputee on prosthetic legs.
He went into the race hoping to break the record by finishing in under 16 hours, 26 minutes and 59 seconds, with his amazing journey being filmed as a documentary which will air on BBC One and iPlayer in 2025.
To say Billy aced this massive test would be a huge understatement as he absolutely destroyed that world record, taking more than two hours off it.
Monger’s world record day
On a hot and humid day on the Big Island, which reduced many Pro superstars to walking pace, Billy began his race in magnificent fashion by completing the 2.4-mile swim in just 1:07:29, setting him up on world record pace.
Next it was onto the bike, a gruelling 112-mile journey which has destroyed the stamina of so many tri greats down the years. Not Billy though, as he completed it in 7:26:50.
At this stage Billy was in great position to smash the record in terms of the clock, but what reserves did he have left with a full marathon still to come? The answer, plenty.
Monger aced his first 26.2-mile marathon at the end of a triathlon race in a time of 5:26:26 to cross the finish line at 14:23:56.
Never have the iconic words “you are an Ironman” been more merited as Billy crossed the line after completing double the distance he had attempted in his prep races ahead of Kona.
