Ferntree Gully paramedic Ray Whittington thought an Ironman triathlon – a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a marathon – was unachievable when he first started triathlons in 2018.
Now, he’s not only completed one, but done it on the world stage, after taking to the course at the 2023 Ironman World Championships in Nice, France.
The sport of Ironman takes discipline to stick to long-term goals and training plans, something the paramedic said is a challenge but also rewarding.
“I love having a long-term goal and being 100 per cent committed to something,” Ray said.
“It’s obviously a lot of training over many months but it’s worth it for the delayed gratification after building to something that big.
“When I started completing short-distance triathlons, Ironman just seemed like an unachievable dream so it’s cool seeing where you can get to and what your body can do.”
Ray became a paramedic with AV in 2014 and it was that career choice that set him on the path to Ironman.
“I used to play hockey but working as a paramedic, it can be hard to maintain team sports,” he said.
“I started competing in open water swim races and that led me into short-distance triathlons.
“I just built up distance over time until I got to my first Ironman in 2022, and now I’ve completed five Ironman races including the World Championships.”
The training to be an Ironman is intense – many weeks involve more than 20 hours of swimming, running, cycling and more to get his body into top shape.
Ray said he couldn’t do it without the support of his partner Sarah.
“Balancing training and work can be tough at times so it’s important to have good support at home,” Ray said.
“Sarah’s insanely supportive – I don’t know how she puts up with me hardly ever being home!
“She’s the one holding it all together while I just work, train and sleep.
“She’s the only reason I’m able to work full time and train that much.”
As one way to say thank you, Ray planned an epic proposal at the finish line of the Ironman World Championships in Nice, carrying the ring through the whole race.
“I had the ring taped to my wrist – the swim was very stressful!” Ray said.
“I proposed in the finishing chute before I crossed the finish line.
“I wanted it to be a sign of what we could accomplish together with each other’s support.”
For Ray, Nice was about the experience and completing the tough course.
His new goal is to make it back to the World Championships in 2026, when the men’s race is held at the iconic Kona course in Hawaii.
“I’m trying to get to Kona and had hoped to qualify this year,” Ray said.
“I raced the Cairns Ironman in June and was hoping to get a Kona spot then but it didn’t happen, so I’ve got to re-evaluate the plan and focus on 2026.
“Cairns was still significant because it was my first time breaking 10 hours.
“Now that race is done though, Sarah and I can start planning our wedding.”
