JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 21-year-old St. Johns County athlete is set to take on one of endurance sports’ most grueling challenges this weekend — 140.6 miles of swimming, biking and running at Ironman Jacksonville.
After suffering an injury that ended his swimming career, Daniel Ritchie redirected his drive into the world of triathlons — eventually conquering a full Ironman by age 20. Now he’s back on the start line, and this time, he’s brought a book with him.
Ritchie has been grinding since late November — more than six months of dedicated training — leading into this weekend’s race…