Israeli Ex-Police Officer Plans to Complete 13 Ironman Triathlons in One Year to Support Wounded Soldiers

Erez Yitzhaki, a former member of an Israeli police special unit who has battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is undertaking an extraordinary challenge to complete 13 full Ironman triathlons within a single year. Starting in January 2027, Yitzhaki aims to raise funds to purchase professional sports equipment for wounded and disabled Israel Defense Forces (IDF) veterans. Each Ironman event consists of a 3.8-kilometer swim, 180-kilometer bike ride, and a 42.2-kilometer marathon run, all completed within a set time limit.

Yitzhaki’s initiative, called WarMind, is not only a personal journey but also a mission to inspire and assist fellow injured soldiers who may feel lost in darkness. He emphasizes that the physical challenge is part of a broader effort to help others find hope through sports. His first and last races will be part of the Challenge ISRAMAN, with 11 additional "Blue and White" Ironman events organized by him across Israel, including areas affected by the October 7 attacks and northern conflict zones.

Ahead of his upcoming participation in the Be’er Sheva night race, Yitzhaki expressed his desire to demonstrate to his comrades at the Fighters’ House that anything is possible and to encourage them to join his journey. He stresses that his goal is not personal profit but to give back to those who sacrificed their bodies and souls for the country. Through this endeavor, he hopes to break his own limits and prove that the mind can lead the body to places previously thought unreachable.