SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Christian Loafman trains at Nathan Benderson Park, running and biking for ultra-endurance competitions. His scoliosis, craniofacial differences and autism have not stopped him.
The 19-year-old’s athletic journey started with a 45-minute bike ride during the pandemic.
“I didn’t know how to swim or run so it took a bit of time to get into it but it was just more of wanting to get into it and just doing for fun but also being competitive but still doing it for fun,” Loafman said.
Loafman was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 2 and is on the autism spectrum. He overcame medical challenges through years of specialized care at Shriners Children’s, including treatment with the Mehta Cast and long-term bracing.
Loafman completed his first 100-mile ride with Adventure for All at Big Sugar Gravel in Bentonville, Arkansas, in October 2024.
From zero to Ironman
In early 2025, Loafman committed himself to the triathlon competition with the goal of completing an Ironman. Guided by Ironman champion Chris Nikic, the 1% Better Foundation and F3 Suncoast, he expanded his training, adding running and swimming to his cycling foundation. In just nine months, he went from not running or swimming to completing an Ironman.
“I saw the finish line and then I was just straight up booking it. I’m pretty sure I had tunnel vision,” Loafman said.
He finished his first Ironman alongside 11 other fellow Special Olympics athletes after 10 months of run and swim training. He covered 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling and a full 26.2-mile marathon, crossing the finish line in 13 hours and 42 minutes.
In his debut triathlon, Loafman qualified for the USA Triathlon National Championships, where he earned a third-place finish. Two weeks later, he claimed a national title at the USA Triathlon Gravel National Championships, securing an invitation to represent Team USA at the 2026 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Abu Dhabi.
He also completed his first marathon and qualified for the 2026 Boston Marathon.
Team captain and advocate
Loafman was named team captain of the first-ever national gravel racing team for athletes with exceptionalities, Death to Doubt, founded by Adventure for All. In the role, he competes and helps pave the way for greater inclusion in endurance sports, mentoring teammates and representing the team on a national stage.
His coach has been beside him throughout the process.
“And that’s just what I did. You know we have this much time we need to do this. We need to get our swim in. We need to get our run in we need to be building these things and it just went exponential,” said Chris Cockrell, Loafman’s coach.
Loafman is a Shriners Children’s Patient Ambassador and has shared his story on national stages, including the Shriners Open PGA Tour event. He is also an assistant coach and mentor, supporting other athletes.
Loafman’s mother said his journey is about breaking barriers.
“To empower other youth, other young adults, but even us as a parent so often we are gatekeepers and for him to really break through and find this community has changed all of our perceptions of what he can do and what other like him can do,” said Kerri Loafman.
Loafman said the people around him make the difference.
“Having an amazing group that accepts you and overall just making friends and having fun. And just love doing what you do whether it’s biking, running, or swimming,” he said.
He said mindset matters.
“Your mind will try to gatekeep what you think you can’t do. Just try to think openly about it and have fun with it,” Loafman said.
Upcoming races
Loafman’s 2026 schedule is packed with competitions:
- April 20: Boston Marathon
- April 26: St. Anthony’s Triathlon
- May: Ironman Jacksonville
- May: Unbound Gravel
- August: Gravel Worlds
- August: USA Triathlon National Championships
- September: Rebecca’s Private Idaho
- October: Chicago Marathon
- November: Team USA Gravel World Triathlon in Dubai
Loafman uses his platform to advocate for individuals with autism and complex medical conditions, while working to shift social and parental perceptions around what is possible for those with invisible exceptionalities.
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