Peyton Manning surprises father and son, who has cerebral palsy, with invitation to IRONMAN World Championship
Father-son triathletes, Jeff and Johnny Agar competed in the prestigious IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. They received an official invitation by legendary Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning earlier this year.
"You guys are incredible and a true inspiration," Manning told the Agars in a video message. "On behalf of IRONMAN, it's my honor to share with you that Team Agar has earned an official invite to the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Congratulations and good luck! I'll be rooting for you the whole way."
Their journey to the IRONMAN World Championship has been a long one. Johnny, now 29 years old, was born with cerebral palsy, a muscle disorder that makes it difficult to walk and talk. With the unwavering support of his father, Johnny has embarked on a unique athletic journey. Jeff selflessly pushes, pulls and hauls Johnny through triathlon's as they swim, bike and run — embodying the spirit of teamwork and determination.
"I'm not a fan of swimming, biking or running, which is perfect for triathlon," Jeff told Begnaud last year, laughing. "This probably wouldn't be in the top 100 things I'd select to do. ... I'm not doing it because I love it. This is Johnny's dream and I'm giving him the legs and the power to do it."
Participating in the IRONMAN
With over a year of intense training, Jeff and Johnny finally made it to Kona last weekend, ready to tackle the iconic race—a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon—all within a 17-hour timeframe. Their determination and spirit brought them through the swim with ease, but during the bike portion, they faced a challenging setback. At mile 90, they were eliminated from the race due to time constraints, unable to complete the full course as they had dreamed.
Despite the disappointment of not crossing the finish line, Johnny expressed his pride in his father's efforts.
"I'm very, very proud of Dad," Johnny said on "CBS Mornings" on Nov. 1. "I know he's very, very disappointed that I won't be able to walk through the finish line, but he gave it his very, very best effort, and that's all I can ask."
The Ironman Association also recognized their achievement, stating, "Jeff and Johnny Agar embody the spirit of what it means to be an Ironman." This acknowledgment was particularly meaningful for the Agars, who have pursued Johnny's dream with tireless dedication.
This weekend, Johnny's journey continues as he prepares to participate in the New York City Marathon, where he'll be pushed by CBS producer Elissa Candiotti, a marathon runner who has become close to the Agars since their first CBS story aired.
Candiotti, who has been training with Johnny's specialized racing chair, shared her excitement for the race: "I'm going to be pushing a little more than I weigh, but it's going to be amazing," said Candiotti.
