Pictures of the Year International

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - MAY 11: Johnny Agar (L) arrives with his mother, Becki (C), and father, Jeff (R), to the Amway River Bank Run 25k on May 11, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Johnny, who lives with cerebral palsy, and uses a wheelchair, cannot stand on his own and often requires assistance to sit upright without falling over. "Having cerebral palsy feels like I'm trying to operate a complicated machine with difficult, cumbersome controls and an instruction manual written in another language," Johnny Agar said. "Like I don't have control of my body the way my mind wants it to be." For 15 years, Jeff and his son Johnny Agar have been pushing the limits of endurance sports including Ironman triathlons. Their athletic accomplishments have been especially noteworthy considering that Johnny lives with cerebral palsy, a muscle disorder which necessitates assistance with his daily activities. When racing, Johnny receives full support by his sixty-one-year-old father to pull, haul and push him on course. In 2022, after five unsuccessful attempts, Team Agar completed a full Ironman - 140.6 miles of swimming, cycling, and running - within a 17-hour time limit. Nearly a decade after a failed attempt at the 2016 Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kona, Team Agar was invited back to Hawaii to compete in this year's VinFast IRONMAN World Championship. Although the father-son-duo came up short of their dream of completing one of the most challenging triathlons in the world, they say their journey has never been solely about reaching the finish line. Their experiences have emphasized their commitment to overcoming challenges together as a family and connecting with those navigating disabilities and the struggles of everyday life.