Shortly before midnight Sunday, when Chris Nikic ran down the finishing chute of Ironman Florida, the 21-year-old from Maitland made history. He became the first athlete with Down syndrome to claim the title of Ironman — completing the brutal 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in 16 hours, 46 minutes and nine seconds.
The feat is considered extraordinary for any athlete. But for Nikic, the journey here has been a mix of miracles and unrelenting determination.
“The doctors and experts said I couldn’t do anything,” he explained in a Zoom interview from Panama City, where the race is held.