In the Thick of It: 

Peter Wright recently achieved the extraordinary: completing seven Ironman triathlons in seven days, all in the name of charity.

Supported by Rossborough, Peter’s challenge raised awareness and funds for four charities close to his heart.

We caught up with him to hear about the highs, lows, and lessons from this remarkable feat.

Q: What went through your mind on Day One?

Did it feel real, or surreal? It felt surreal checking into the Radisson for my week-long stay and getting all my kit organised.

Part of my mantra for this event was not to overthink anything outside of what I could control, taking each discipline as it came each day. When I woke to the sound of heavy rain and winds of 25mph, it suddenly felt very real.
Luckily, the swim was in an indoor pool, so I focused on that first.

The swim went very well, and as I headed out into the driving rain on the bike with my coach, Chris Stephens, I felt excited and ready for the week ahead.

Q: Which day was the toughest mentally or physically, and what pulled you through?

Day Six was the toughest on both counts. I had picked up a calf injury during the run on Day Four, and my run times were starting to slow despite increasing effort.

After finishing Day Five shortly before midnight, I had only three hours of sleep before the alarm went off at 04:45 on Day Six. The swim that morning felt manageable, but the 112-mile bike ride left me feeling mentally and physically broken. The support of five riders with me that morning lifted me, and within a couple of hours, I was back in the game.

Q: Was there a moment where you genuinely thought, “I can’t do this”?

On Day Four, I was riding solo for the first 65 miles, facing persistent strong winds. I felt cold, exhausted, and questioned whether I could carry on. I stopped in St John’s for a coffee and sausage roll, messaged my wife Rachel saying, “Got a feeling I’m beaten,” and immediately received a pep talk that put me firmly back in the game.

Q: What was your best moment during the challenge?

I have two: Day Six finished at 01:00 - after only 2.5 hours of sleep, I felt there was no chance of failing. Later, while recovering in my compression boots, I watched a personal video sent by Lily McGarry, which really lifted me.

Finishing the bike on Day Seven. I was supported throughout the day and received a surprise video from Paul Kaye, the legendary voice of Ironman, declaring me an “Iron Man.” That recognition was unforgettable.

Q: How does it feel now that it’s over?

Relief, definitely, not having to wake up for another Ironman! But also immense pride, especially as I had never completed a triathlon before
starting training in January 2025.

Most of all, I feel incredibly lucky: for a supportive wife and family, a great coach, amazing friends, and the incredible community that came together throughout the week.

Q: What’s next for you, personally or professionally?

I’ll continue competing in single-day or multi-day events with friends, but nothing as extreme as this challenge. Personally, I plan to enjoy family life and the beauty of our Island. Professionally, I aim to complete the final stage of my IoD exams and become a Chartered Director.

Q: What do you hope your legacy is from this challenge?

I hope the £20,000 fundraising target is met and raises awareness for the four charities I nominated, which focus on helping young people grow.

I also hope I am remembered as someone who aimed high, faced challenges head-on, and persevered, even as an “average” athlete with a positive mindset.

Q: Any message for those following your journey, or considering their own big goals?

For everyone who supported or followed, a heartfelt thank you, your encouragement on Day Four kept me going. For those pursuing their own goals, follow your dreams and embrace the initial fear. Use clubs, communities, and support networks, and remember, the challenge
should be fun. Have a goal, but also have backup plans that allow you to finish with a smile. Wonderful experiences happen when you take that first step.

Support Peter’s Charities

Peter’s challenge is helping four incredible charities. If you’d like to support his efforts and make a difference for young people, you can donate here: SportsGiving - Activity: Pete

• CLIC Sargent
• Kezia’s Fund
• Lily’s Fund
• The LouLou Sporting Foundation

Every contribution counts and helps make extraordinary achievements like Peter’s challenge even more impactful. Huge congratulations from all of us, Peter. It has been a privilege to support you.