German extreme athlete Jonas Deichmann set a new world record in his 106th long-distance triathlon.
The Ironman distance involves a 3.8 kilometre (2.4 mile) swim, 180 kilometres bike ride and 42 kilometres run.
This comes two weeks after Germany's Laura Lindemann won the mixed triathlon relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
What else is known about Dykeman's records?
“It's a new world record of 106 days, which is incredible,” Dykeman said. The previous record was held by Britain's Sean Conway, who achieved a 105-day streak last year.
“This has been my life for the past eight or nine months. I haven't had time to do anything else. I'm really happy to finally be here now.”
Dyckman aims to complete a long-distance triathlon for 120 consecutive days, starting the challenge on May 9 and finishing on September 5.
He said he was supporting charities as part of the challenge.
“Through my challenge I am supporting the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Roth District Children and Youth Fire Service,” Dykman said.
The “German Forrest Gump” aims to compete for 120 days in a row. Image: Pia Beyer/dpa/picture alliance
“Germany's Forest Gump”
Deichmann was born in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, in southwestern Germany.
He completed 120 long-distance triathlons between September 2020 and November 2021, earning him the nickname “Germany's Forrest Gump.”
In 2023, he cycled across the US twice: from New York to Los Angeles, a distance of 3,400 miles, and then walked back to New York.
Dykeman finished his journey by running the New York Marathon.
sdi/rc (dpa, SID)
