Menu
Follow me, Jack Roels, a 22-year-old student and triathlete, on my inspiring journey to the IRONMAN South Africa in Port Elizabeth, 2026. This will be my last full-distance competition before I return to the IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Read about my achievements, dedication and search for partners to make my dream come true.
Since a young age, it has been my dream and ambition to achieve a major sports milestone through hard work and solid preparation. In August 2023, I decided to make that dream a reality by preparing for my very first IRONMAN.
In June 2023, I participated in my first trail run, a challenging 22-kilometer race. To my great joy, I won this race with more than a 2-minute lead over second place in a field of over 180 participants. This achievement gave me the confidence and motivation to continue on my athletic journey.
After less than a year of intense training, on August 18, 2024, the time had come: I stood at the start of my biggest athletic challenge to date, the IRONMAN in Copenhagen. Surrounded by family and friends, I began swimming in the beautiful Amager beach.
My training paid off as I set an excellent time in the water. The 180 kilometers of cycling that followed were also completed in an exceptional time. Then I began the marathon, where I managed my energy well and worked professionally.
When I finally crossed the finish line and heard the words “You are an IRONMAN,” it was the perfect moment. This marked the culmination of all my long training days, sacrifices, and professional approach.
On October 26, 2024, I stood at the start of one of the biggest sports events in the world. Nine hours and 31 minutes later, I heard the words once again: “You are an IRONMAN.”
With a 322nd place out of 2,287 participants and 21st in my age category, I proved my potential after just one year of intensive training. I look back on this achievement with pride and am determined to return to Hawaii in 2026, a place that has gained special meaning for me.
On 24 August 2025, I took part in my third full-distance IRONMAN ever. At 22 years old, I was once again one of the youngest participants at the start. It took 10 months of preparation, combining full-time triathlon training with my studies, to make my dream come true once again: to qualify for the world championship in Hawaii in 2026.
Nine hours and 20 minutes later, I heard the words: ‘Here is the 18-24 age group champion from Belgium, Jack Roels, you are an IRONMAN’.
This was after a gruelling course in which the water temperature in Lake Thun was below 17.5 degrees Celsius and more than 2,100 metres of elevation had to be covered during the cycling stage. With my victory in Thun, I proved once again that I am a young triathlete with a lot of potential and that I can prove myself again among the very best triathletes at the World Championships in 2026. A competition that will always be close to my heart.
As an athlete and student, I face significant athletic and financial challenges. Therefore, I appeal to supporters and potential partners who want to be part of my journey to this unique and world-famous World Championship. Your support will not only make a crucial contribution to my participation but also serve as extra motivation to realize my dream and strive for the best possible result.
At 22, I see a bright future for myself as an athlete. Knowing that endurance athletes often peak between the ages of 30 and 34 gives me the confidence that there is still much potential and room for improvement. However, this cannot happen without the support of the right sponsors who are willing to guide me toward even better performances.
My triathlon story continues after Kona, and I look forward to what the future holds. You can reach me through my social media or call me at +32 468 226 426.
