Billy Monger is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. The professional racing driver’s life changed forever in 2017 when he lost both legs in a crash. But instead of letting tragedy define him, Billy turned it into fuel for an extraordinary journey—becoming an advocate for adaptive sports, a fundraising hero, and now, a world-record-breaking para-triathlete.
In December 2024, Billy made history by smashing the Ironman World Record for a double amputee at the prestigious Kona event in Hawaii. Completing a gruelling 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run, he beat the previous record by over two hours—all while raising vital funds for Comic Relief. Now, with a new documentary premiering during Comic Relief on March 19th, Billy sat down with Men’s Fitness to discuss his training, mental resilience, and what’s next.
Men’s Fitness: Billy, could you give us some insight into your training for Kona? How did you balance swimming, cycling, and running?
Billy Monger: I started training in October 2023, just over a year before the event. At first, I was doing around eight hours of training a week – just over an hour a day. As the year progressed, we gradually increased the workload, and in the final three months before the Ironman, I was up to 20 hours a week—about three hours a day. That’s when my body had fully adapted to the demands of the race.
MF: How did you handle the mental pressure of taking on such a massive challenge?
BM: The thought of Kona was intimidating. I’d imagine the heat, the humidity, the exhaustion, and wonder if I’d be able to withstand it all. The best way to manage that pressure was focusing on what I could control—training, nutrition, and recovery. Taking it one day at a time helped me feel prepared when race day arrived.
MF: Did your training include strength work, or was it all about endurance?
BM: It was purely endurance-focused. I asked my trainers if I needed to incorporate strength work, but they said endurance was the priority. Instead of lifting weights, I built my strength naturally through hard intervals in the pool, on the bike, and while running.
MF: Let’s talk about race day. How did Kona go, and what can we expect from the documentary?
BM: The race went as well as I could have hoped! I managed to break the world record by just over two hours—way beyond my expectations. The conditions were tough, and my body definitely felt it by the end. But I knew I had done everything possible in training, so I just focused on giving it everything I had. The documentary gives a behind-the-scenes look at my journey, including the adaptations I used in each discipline.
MF: Did you celebrate properly after such an incredible achievement?
BM: (Laughs) Not immediately! After the race, my body was completely broken. I could barely eat, and my girlfriend was worried because I was shaking and struggling to keep food down. But once I started feeling better, I took time to celebrate with my team. Looking back at everything we achieved was an amazing moment.
MF: What’s next for you? Any big challenges on the horizon?
BM: Right now, I’m just getting back into consistent training. Having a break made me realize how much I love it. I’m not sure exactly what’s next yet, but I definitely have my eye on some big challenges in the future!
Billy’s documentary is being aired on BBC as part of Comic Relief on Wednesday 19th March. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
• For the full interview with Billy see the forthcoming May edition of Men’s Fitness magazine.
