RICHMOND, Va. — At 65 years old, most people are thinking about slowing down. But Will Turner, a Virginia endurance athlete, just pushed himself to one of the most grueling tests imaginable: a 914-mile ultra-triathlon through the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The Sierra 914 Challenge
Turner designed the challenge himself — 6.5 Ironmans back-to-back, totaling 914 miles. His route included 15.6 miles of swimming in Lake Tahoe, a 728-mile bike ride down the Sierra range, and a 170.4-mile run around Mammoth Lake, all within eight days.
“I finished in the nick of time, with just a couple of hours to spare,” Turner said, recalling the nonstop grind that left him with little sleep each day.
Documenting the Journey
Independent filmmaker Ryan Duggar followed Turner’s attempt, producing the upcoming documentary “Sierra 914”. Duggar described it as unlike anything he had witnessed, saying, “Knowing that he’s 65 years old — that’s the part for me. That’s like, wow!”
The film captures Turner battling physical exhaustion, mental doubt, and the solitude of pursuing a goal without cheering crowds or competitors.
Philosophy Beyond the Miles
Turner, who previously completed 60 triathlons for his 60th birthday, said he sees age as no barrier…