Dubai: It has been a week of sleepless nights and months filled with blood, sweat and possibly tears; but now the struggle is finally over for Scott Ragsdale who completed seven Ironman triathlons in seven days across the seven emirates in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night.
Amidst UAE National Day celebrations on the capital's corniche, Ragsdale crossed the final finish line of his Naseba-Seven challenge, held by his two daughters Mary and Giovanna. The last day of his challenge took him 14 hours and 48 minutes to complete.
"This past week is an ode to the greatness in man; I wanted to achieve it so I focused and made it happen," said Ragsdale when awarded on stage by an official from the Abu Dhabi Municipality. "Too many people are sitting around wasting their lives, letting their lives pass them by; don't let your life pass you by, seize it and make it happen," he told the roaring crowd.
The Ironman Triathlon is organised by the World Triathlon Corporation and consists of a 3.86km swim, 180.25km of cycling and a 42.195km marathon run.
Tribute
Ragsdale decided to endure seven Ironman triathlons across each of the UAE's Emirates in celebration of the UAE's 40th National Day and his 40th birthday.
He was officially endorsed by the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare and supported by the Abu Dhabi Municipality and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
"It is the municipality's vision to ensure a superior quality of life and sustainable environment for all of our residents; which include focusing on the benefits of a healthier lifestyle," said Omar Al Busaidy, Events Specialist at the Abu Dhabi Municipality, before presenting Ragsdale with a token of appreciation.
"This is why we are happy to support Naseba-Seven, which has come at a time when the UAE has achieved many memorable years of unity and great achievements."
Ragsdale thanked the Government and the Municipality for their support of his challenge.
Role model
The idea behind Ragsdale's Naseba-Seven challenge was to inspire the people around him and the UAE community at large into improving their lifestyles, through leadership by example. A goal he has already succeeded in if only at home.
"I've never been this proud and never doubted he'd finish," said an emotional, Mary, 17 — his oldest daughter — upon her father's finish. "I've never met someone with a stronger mind and he's my role model for sure."
She added her father's challenge is proof to everyone that if a person sets his mind to something, no matter how impossible it may seem, it can be achieved.
Wife and mother, Sophie Leray, was lost for words but beamed with pride nonetheless. "I feel great I don't have many words right now but I'm very impressed and impressed by everyone's welcome," she said. "It's been an amazing human adventure and everyone who's been a part of that is here today … Coach Mario Huys is definitely the man as well."
It was the months of support and coaching by Huys, which enabled Ragsdale to make the impossible happen.
