A remarkable Finnish pair has recently concluded the third demanding phase of their colossal '5athlon' challenge, an awe-inspiring endeavor spanning from the frosty reaches of Norway to the sun-drenched shores of South Africa. This ambitious journey, comprising skiing, running, swimming, cycling, and sailing, exemplifies the pinnacle of human endurance and adventurous spirit. Despite numerous obstacles, including adverse weather and logistical hurdles, their unwavering determination continues to propel them forward, captivating a growing global audience.

Epic Odyssey: The Latest Chapter of a Transcontinental Challenge

On August 22, 2025, the intrepid duo, Peyman Almar and Sailor (who prefers to be identified by her first name only), achieved a significant milestone in their extraordinary five-sport expedition. Launched from the Arctic expanse of North Cape, Norway, on January 27, 2025, their ultimate goal is to reach South Africa by 2027. They have already traversed a remarkable 1,600 kilometers of the projected 30,000-kilometer course, demonstrating incredible fortitude.

Their journey commenced with a formidable 750-kilometer ski across the frozen landscapes from North Cape, Norway, to Rovaniemi, Finland. This was swiftly followed by an arduous 950-kilometer run through the diverse terrain of Finland. Most recently, after eight intense days navigating the waters, they successfully completed a 100-kilometer swim across the Gulf of Finland, connecting Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia. The next formidable stage involves cycling all the way to Greece.

The aquatic leg of their journey posed the most significant apprehension. Although both individuals possessed prior swimming experience, their preparation for this particular challenge was minimal. However, a pre-swim trial the day before proved surprisingly reassuring. Almar, emerging from the water, reportedly exclaimed, “That was easy! That was so much fun!”

Unlike the preceding phases, which they undertook together, the swim was executed as a relay, with the two explorers alternating between swimming and resting aboard a support vessel. Days five and six of the swim presented the greatest difficulties, primarily due to challenging crosswinds that generated turbulent waters. Securing a safety boat and crew in Helsinki, with only ten days until the scheduled start, proved to be a stressful undertaking. Despite concerns from some observers regarding their preparedness, they successfully found a vessel at the eleventh hour, allowing them to proceed safely.

Prior to this, the skiing and running segments presented their own unique trials. The skiing component, undertaken in the depths of January and February across Norway, involved battling frigid temperatures and relentless winds while dragging 50-kilogram sleds. They frequently had to seek shelter or pause their progress in villages to escape severe weather. Sections with insufficient snow necessitated the creation of improvised trailers, while other areas, plagued by excessively deep and soft snow, significantly impeded their movement.

The running phase through Finland, meanwhile, introduced different challenges. Unseasonably warm conditions prevailed, and both runners pulled 45-kilogram trailers laden with gear, water, and provisions. Although they periodically resupplied, they operated without a dedicated support team, save for the swimming leg. They maintained a daily pace of 10 to 40 kilometers, adapting to the varying terrain and weather conditions. A setback occurred in June when Almar sustained a knee injury, followed by a toe infection for Sailor in early July, forcing them to incorporate periods of walking.

As avid runners in their daily lives, they found the running section relatively more comfortable. Consistent with previous legs, Sailor periodically returned home for work commitments, during which Almar bravely continued the expedition solo. Their remarkable journey has garnered a substantial following, particularly in their native Finland, with local runners even joining them for the final stretch of the running phase.

Currently in Tallinn, the pair is taking a well-deserved respite, meticulously preparing their bicycles, and meticulously verifying their route. Their next ambitious undertaking begins on September 4, as they set out to cycle towards the historic lands of Greece.

The unwavering spirit and resilience demonstrated by Peyman Almar and Sailor offer a profound source of inspiration. Their '5athlon' is not merely a physical challenge; it is a testament to human determination, meticulous planning, and the capacity to overcome daunting obstacles. Their journey reminds us that with courage and persistence, even the most ambitious dreams can be systematically transformed into reality, one challenging step, stroke, pedal, and sail at a time. It underscores the profound impact of passion and the power of human spirit in pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible.

A remarkable feat of human endurance recently captured global attention as a Croatian freediver established an extraordinary new world record for breath-holding. This exceptional individual demonstrated an unparalleled capacity to remain submerged, surpassing all prior benchmarks. His achievement not only highlights the incredible potential of the human body but also serves a noble purpose, drawing focus to critical environmental issues. The event underscores the intersection of athletic prowess and social responsibility, inspiring many to consider both personal limits and planetary well-being.

On June 14th, Vitomir Maricic, a distinguished freediver hailing from Croatia, accomplished an astounding feat by holding his breath for an unprecedented duration of 29 minutes and three seconds. This monumental achievement shattered the previous world record by a significant margin, exceeding it by nearly five minutes. Such an accomplishment far surpasses the capabilities of many marine creatures, including bottlenose dolphins, which typically manage breath holds of eight to ten minutes. Maricic's preparation for this record-breaking attempt involved breathing pure oxygen for ten minutes beforehand, a technique known to extend breath-holding capacity by maximizing oxygen saturation in the bloodstream.

The record was set within a controlled environment, resembling a pool located in a hotel banquet area. A recently released seven-minute video provides a detailed account of the event, offering insights into Maricic's thoughts and experiences surrounding his incredible performance. This scientific dimension of breath-holding is particularly fascinating, revolving around specialized cell clusters in the brain and neck known as chemoreceptors. These chemoreceptors continuously monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) levels in the blood, acting as the body's regulators to maintain vital balance.

During a breath hold, CO2 levels naturally increase while oxygen levels decline. Although the body typically signals an urge to breathe through involuntary diaphragm contractions, particularly after prolonged breath retention, the actual physiological limit often extends beyond this initial discomfort. When pure oxygen is inhaled prior to a breath-hold, as Maricic did, the onset of these involuntary contractions is delayed, as the blood remains highly saturated with oxygen. However, it is crucial to note that breathing pure oxygen is inherently hazardous and can result in oxygen toxicity, a potentially fatal condition, hence it should only be undertaken by trained professionals under strict medical supervision.

As explained by Anthony Bain, an associate Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Windsor, even with 100% oxygen pre-breathing, CO2 levels will inevitably rise during a breath hold. Yet, the heightened blood oxygen suppresses the chemoreceptor's sensitivity to CO2. This combined effect—the absence of a pronounced oxygen response and a dampened CO2 response—enables individuals to significantly prolong their breath-hold duration. This advanced technique, however, does not diminish Maricic's inherent capabilities; he is already an elite freediver, capable of holding his breath for approximately ten minutes even without supplemental oxygen. His impressive competitive resume includes a remarkable 240kg squat performed at a depth of 10 meters, showcasing his extraordinary physical conditioning.

Maricic shared via Instagram that at the commencement of his record-breaking dive, his body contained roughly five times the average amount of oxygen. Beyond the pursuit of a new world record, his motivation extended to a deeper commitment: advocating for ocean conservation. Through his participation in Sea Shepherd's \"Fit for the Ocean\" fundraiser, Maricic channeled his athletic achievement into a powerful platform for environmental advocacy, reflecting a long-standing dedication to marine protection. His actions serve as a testament to how individual excellence can be leveraged for collective good, bringing much-needed attention to pressing global issues.