Mark Allen

After competing and losing in the IRONMAN Triathlon World Championships in his first six attempts, Mark Allen emerged victorious in 1989, winning the most difficult one-day sporting event in the world. It would be the first of six IRONMAN World Championship victories for Allen, the last coming in 1995 at age 37, making him the oldest champion ever at that time.

He also excelled at the Olympic distance, winning the sport's inaugural Olympic Distance World Championships in 1989 in Avignon, France. He went undefeated in ten trips to the Nice International Triathlon, and from 1988-1990 he put together a winning streak of twenty-one consecutive victories.

Allen was named “Triathlete of the Year” six times by Triathlete Magazine, and in 1997 Outside magazine tabbed him “The World's Fittest Man”. His most recent sports accolade came in November of 2012 when he was voted “The Greatest Endurance Athlete Of All Time” in a worldwide poll conducted by ESPN.

Since retiring from competition, Allen has become a sought-after motivational speaker, an internationally acclaimed triathlon coach, and an award-winning author along with Brant Secunda for their ground-breaking book "Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You."

Allen’s most recent book "The Art of Competition," released in August of 2014, is a one-of-a-kind book of quotes and thoughts on competition born out of the heat of IRONMAN Racing. He continues to influence the sport as a commentator for NBC Sports during the annual Ironman World Championships and provided expert analysis during the Sydney Olympics for triathlon's debut at the Games.