Billy Monger to race Weymouth Ironman for Comic Relief

The 25-year-old - who was part of the presenting team for Channel 4's Paralympic coverage in Paris - is hoping to become the youngest double amputee to complete the annual Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October - all whilst raising vital funds for Comic Relief. 

He's viewing the Weymouth event as a warm-up for the big one in Hawaii.

The former racing driver lost both his legs after being involved in a crash at the Donington race track in 2017.

He raised more than £3m for Comic Relief in 2021 by walking, cycling and kayaking across England over four days.

READ: Ironman triathlon event to return to Weymouth in 2025

Billy Monger is racing in the Ironman 70.3 in Weymouth on his prosthetic limbs as he trains for the full Ironman in Hawaii later this year for charity (Image: Comic Relief)

He now hopes to break the world championship record for a double amputee - 16 hours and 27 minutes - and has chosen Weymouth as the final race to prepare himself for the daunting task in Hawaii in October. 

Surrey-based Billy said: "I am really excited to take part, it is my third half Ironman this year and my final event surrounded by thousands of people pushing themselves and the good support in Weymouth will be a good experience.

"Weymouth is really good preparation. The two half distances I have done so far have been fairly flat but Weymouth presents some strong riding on the bike with the ups and downs of the hills replicating what I will experience in Hawaii - it is part , it has a lot of impact and \of the reason why I chose Weymouth."

READ: Closures for Ironman Weymouth Ironman event 2024

The annual triathlon race on the Jurassic Coast is considered the ultimate one-day test of endurance.

It is comprises into three parts - a 1.2-mile swim in Weymouth Bay, a 56-mile cycle around Dorset and a 13.1-mile run around Weymouth.

However, there is one element of the race that Billy is least looking forward to - the marathon run. 

Due to having to wear prosthetics legs, Billy has spoken of the impact and damage the running does to his legs. 

Billy Monger has been training 20 hours a week, even whilst working on Channel 4 during the Paralympics 

He added: "As I get through the race, it gets harder.

"The swimming I do without prosthetics and it is my strongest part - I fair pretty well.

"It is not too bad with the bike but effectively I am cycling with one leg and that's where most able body people will pull away from me.

"The run has the most impact on my prosthetics. 

"I can get off the bike with no damage to my legs but running has a lot of impact and I have been working a lot on that.

"When I started on this journey it is what we were worried about the most."

As Billy focuses on completing his training here in the UK before setting off for Hawaii, he was keen to point out why he has chosen to take on such an enormous task for charity.

He added: "I did a challenge a few years ago and after my accident and the Just Giving page we set up I just love giving back.

"Getting £3 million was way above what we expected and it was just incredible to be involved in.

"My trainer went away after that and came back with 10 or 12 challenges he thought I could do and this one stood out as it had a world record."

To donate to Billy's challenge visit: www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday/challenges/billy/