Fazel Ally's Iron Man Journey: Finland 2023

Fazel Ally: An Iron Will at the Iron Man World Championships

It takes an iron will to conquer the Iron Man triathlon. Fazel Ally, a dedicated member of On’s athlete ambassador programme, qualified for the prestigious Iron Man World Championships held on 27 August. This South African triathlete took on his greatest challenge yet—racing alone, far from home.

Fazel Ally’s Iron Will

Competing in one of the world’s most grueling endurance events, Ally had to adapt quickly—not just to the physical demands, but to a new country, new climate, and complete solitude.

“You’ve got to be disciplined and your head has to be in the right place,” Ally shares, emphasising the mental demands of racing at an elite level away from his support system.

“I was alone and it’s hard to plan when you’re alone – you’ve got to have somebody with you. They help you get and stay organised. And while I was racing, I had to adjust my mindset constantly.”

Ally’s race was further complicated by illness. He began the event with severe stomach issues that lasted throughout the competition. “I won’t advise anyone to take part in a race if they are ill,” he says. “It’s best not to compete in those circumstances. I pushed forward, but at the end of the competition, I could not even get out of bed for two days.”

Each year, Iron Man competitors from across the globe qualify through local events. Ally earned his spot by finishing in the top five at the Durban Iron Man—one of South Africa’s toughest qualifying races.

“It was a lot of pressure,” he admits. “The international guys were quite aggressive swimmers so you had to be careful.” Adding to the challenge was the tight preparation window—just eight weeks between qualification and the global showdown.

“It’s hard because you go up against the best in the world,” Ally says.

According to him, the run is the most critical part of the race. “Carbon shoes are out,” he notes. “I wore a pair of Cloudboom Echo 3 shoes from On.”

The Cloudboom Echo 3 is a lightweight performance shoe engineered for speed and endurance. With advanced cushioning and breathability, it reduces foot and muscle fatigue—making it ideal for the marathon portion of Iron Man.

Following his impressive showing, Fazel was invited to compete in the Standard Duathlon in Australia in 2024—a testament to his dedication and grit.

On running shoes help athletes push beyond their limits. Find your performance edge in the On collection at Tifosi Sports.

Congratulations, Fazel. We salute you!