Athlete Achieves Ultraman Success

Special Olympics Florida athlete Ryan Aytona has completed one of the most grueling sporting events on earth.

Ryan, a triathlete from Polk County, recently competed in and finished the 2026 Ultraman Florida, a mind-boggling test of physical and mental endurance. To become an Ultraman, athletes must swim 6.2 miles, bike 261 miles, and run 52.4 miles. The event is divided into stages and takes place over three days.

Ryan took on the Ultraman Florida event in Clermont on February 13-15. His finishing time over the three days was 32 hours, 42 minutes, and 13 seconds. Ryan became part of Special Olympics Florida in 2018. He began doing triathlons in 2020.

“Ryan loves to compete and his mindset is always to win,” said his father, Ronald Aytona. In fact, Ryan is already looking forward to his next Ultraman because he wants to finish first.

KC Northup and her husband, Jerome Bareth, have been helping Ryan train for several years. KC said they “never doubted his ability” because he is so “focused, determined, and disciplined.”

Nevertheless, she said, completing an Ultraman is such a remarkable achievement “it’s hard to wrap our heads around it.” Race officials said fewer than 100 people a year finish an Ultraman

KC said Ryan’s performance speaks to the incredible potential of Special Olympics athletes. Ryan’s dad agrees.

“Ryan’s achievement proves autism has no limits,” said Ronald Aytona. People with autism “just need full support to achieve what they believe and what they want to accomplish.”

Congratulations, Ryan!

To learn more about Ryan, check out this piece from Spectrum News.