Pictures of the Year International

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - MAY 11: Johnny Agar is pushed by his Father Jeff Agar, as they race alongside others with disabilities, and who are referred to as myTEAM TRIUMPH 'Captains' during the Amway River Bank Run 25k on May 11, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Johnny and his father Jeff competed with my TEAM TRIUMPH - West Michigan Chapter. This organization is where Johnny first found his love for racing. "That race and organization was a lightbulb moment for Johnny and helped bring him into a world that he had only ever watched from afar before," Becki Agar said speaking on their first ever race with my TEAM TRIUMPH. "It also introduced Jeff and his older sister, Annie, to racing which eventually developed into who Team Agar is today." 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.