Flying over the Ironman World Championship finish line in Kona, Hawaii, earlier this month was “the greatest day” of Sam Holness’ life. The 29-year-old completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in 13 hours and 15 minutes – akey step, he hopes, on his quest to become the world’s first black professional triathlete with autism.
The Kona race was only his second Ironman – his first having been completed in Frankfurt in June. And afterwards, the Londoner “felt pretty cool” – in spite of temperatures “hotter than Jamaica” and intense humidity on the marathon’s hilly route. Though a dodgy stomach set in, he finished up with “no injuries, no pain, no DOMS [delayed onset muscle soreness],” all of which has made him more focused
