Lakeland ‘man of iron’ inspires others to chase dreams

LAKELAND, Fla. — A young Polk County man is attempting an incredible feat.

Robert Norris has already signed his name in the Guinness World Records.

Now, he is aiming for history and to change minds about what people with disabilities can achieve.

Warming up before a run on a cold January morning, 22-year-old Norris and his Lakeland Runners Club training partners are at the starting line of a journey that almost seems impossible.

The workout is around beautiful Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland.

During a water break, Norris spoke about the challenge happening in November later this year.

“The Great World Race,” Norris said. “Seven marathons in seven continents in seven days.”

You got that?

The famed 7-7-7 is a multiday marathon with a total distance of more than 183 miles spanning the globe.

“What he’s planning on doing is just something I myself cannot even dream of being able to do,” said Mark Dailey, who trains Norris.

Dailey helped Norris with the bike ride portion of a triathlon.

Norris participated in the Arizona Ironman® recently.

It is the first he completed while signing his name in the Guinness World Records as the first athlete with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman® triathlon with no guide.

You can see part of Norris’ mission statement on his social media pages, to “get fit with Robert Man of Iron…this is all about mindset.”

His YouTube page is full of motivational videos.

He started training for all this extreme competition just two years ago.

He is not like other super athletes.

It is his super abilities that make him stand out.

Harry Araya also runs with Norris around Lake Hollingsworth prepping for the Great World Race.

“For him to go out and prove to everyone that he’s able to do it unguided, it’s just absolutely amazing,” Araya said. “It inspired me to do better at my events.”

They all have a simple message.

“It’s all about following your dreams, chasing your dreams, and realizing that you can do whatever you set out to do,” Dailey said.

Just taking Norris’ word for it to “stay fit, get outside, it’s a great day to go running,” and the impossible looks a lot more possible.