Athlete Conquers Kona IRONMAN

By Delanie Smith / Special Olympics Florida 

On October 10, Special Olympics Florida triathlete Ryan Aytona crossed the finish line of one of the world's most challenging endurance events alongside his guide and friend, Jerome Bareth. Jerome has been Ryan’s guide since 2020, and together they have built a partnership founded on trust, teamwork, and dedication. Their hard work paid off, as they finished the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii with an official time of 12:52:51. 

Ryan's achievement is the latest in an extraordinary series of accomplishments. A three-time State Triathlon Division Champion, Ryan continues to push the boundaries and show the world what he’s capable of. In February 2026, Ryan became the first known neurodivergent athlete with autism to complete an UltraMan triathlon, covering about 320 miles over three days. In May 2026, Ryan represented Special Olympics Florida at the Special Olympics European Open Triathlon in Šamorín, Slovakia, earning first place in his division and third place overall. 

Ryan has discovered a passion for competitive endurance sports, and consistently shows the determination and discipline needed to succeed. His journey is about more than crossing finish lines. It’s about competing, embracing challenges, and continually improving!