It’s been a dream ten years in the making and finally realized on Saturday when Darren Young raced in the 2024 Ironman World Championship held in Kona, Hawaii.
Two thousand and four hundred of the world’s best triathletes took on the challenge of the Kona race. Its widely considered the toughest one-day sporting event in the world famous for its grueling length and harsh conditions, where the athletes swim 3.8km, then bike 180km and run 42km through the lava fields in the heat and humidity of Kona. Young started at 7.30am and crossed the finish line eleven hours and fifty four minutes later. He came in at 1,575th place.
“It was hard. Really hot. I loved the swim. Hawaii has beautiful ocean like Samoa. Even though I had a few jellyfish stings, I just ignored them and kept going. But I got baked on the bike, riding for five and a half hours in the sun.
There were massive hills to climb. When I got off the bike, I felt I was done. Nothing left. I still had to run a marathon though and it was pain all the way,” said Young. “I broke it into pieces in my mind, one step at a time, just aiming for the next aid station.”
It was a brutal day on the course with 98 athletes unable to finish due to anaphylaxis from jellyfish stings, bike crashes, and extreme heat exhaustion. Medical support were kept busy as many athletes could be seen pausing to vomit along the course before trying to struggle on.
When asked what kept him going in the race Young said, “My family. And remembering why Im here. There’s so few of us Samoans who make it to the world champs. I thought about them leading the way. I told myself I can’t come this far to run for Samoa and be the one who doesnt finish!”
Among those cheering Young on was the first Samoan to race in Kona and Samoa’s only Ironwoman – Mati Sapolu. She was the last one to represent Samoa in Kona, in 2007. She also raced with Young in his first ever Ironman in Taupo New Zealand, back in 2014.
“I’m so proud to see Darren race. To see Samoa here with the best of the best. He did an amazing fast time. Malo lava Darren le fa’aeaeaiga o Samoa.”
Young had to complete at least twelve Ironman races to qualify for a spot in the World Champs. The Covid19 pandemic shutdowns delayed his journey to Kona by another two years and he had to then race in three more Ironman races to secure his spot.
He thanked his family and friends for their help and encouragement along the way. He also acknowledged the support of the Triathlon Samoa Association.
“I hope it doesn’t take another 17 years before Samoa represents in Kona again,” said Young. “I hope our new generation of triathletes will think about making an Ironman their goal. The endurance and discipline you get from it is valuable in life. When you do an Ironman, then you know you can achieve anything in life.”