An Ironman is perhaps the most challenging endurance event on the planet, combining a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.
Sound difficult? Now imagine taking it on without your legs. That is exactly what Billy Monger is set to do this weekend, as he attempts to complete the Kona Ironman in aid of Comic Relief – with the aim of doing it in a world-record time for a double-amputee. The former F4 driver’s in April 2017, after being involved in , which resulted in a double leg amputation.
Now aged 25, Monger explained just how different his approach to training has become since his life changed. “Most people can just put on a pair of trainers and go out and run, I don’t have that luxury,” Monger tells . “I put on custom prosthetics made specifically for me, and if they don’t fit right it has a serious impact on my body and it can take weeks to recover from just a short run.
“As a double amputee the sockets are moulded around our legs. So when I gain muscle in an area the socket can become tight which is incredibly painful. Equally, when I lose fat in a certain area, the socket becomes loose and starts to rub and creates sores.
” In preparation for the upcoming race, Monger took part in the Weymouth Ironman, which consisted of a 1.9km coastal swim, followed by a 90km bike ride and finished with a 21.1km run.
He completed the race in an impressive 6 hours, 41 minutes and 41 seconds, despite having to battle through intense pain from his loosened .