On April 1st, former Marine Captain and MV-22 pilot Justin Topping completed his first Ironman of the year. "It was my fastest Ironman 70.3 to date, crossing the tape in 4 hours and 48 minutes. Not the time I wanted or think I am capable of, but for the first race of the season being faster than last year is a good place to start," Topping admitted.

He completed his season introduction 127th overall and 23rd in his division. The goal of the race was to work on pacing and racing smart in preparation for using later races to qualify for 70.3 Ironman World Championship.

“A desire to fulfill untapped potential, to go beyond perceived limits and learn that the only limits we have are those we place on ourselves. ”

Justin will captain The Wingman Foundation's Wingman Athlete Team, composed of endurance athletes including athletes from Ironman, marathons, and triathlons. His next race will be the famous St. George Ironman in Utah, which he'll use as a training day for the Sonoma Ironman just a week later.

He hopes to build and lead the Wingman Athlete Team into the national stage for endurance sports. Through his passion and leadership, he works to bring awareness to the foundation's mission and tell the stories of our nation's fallen angels. "I am honored and very excited to race for The Wingman Foundation. Triathlons and endurance sports are a passion I love sharing with others. The discipline, sacrifice, pain, and hard work all help to fuel a fire that burns within all of us. A desire to fulfill untapped potential, to go beyond perceived limits and learn that the only limits we have are those we place on ourselves. Anything is possible, and endurance sports teaches us the immense power of the human mind and spirit, and how it can drive us far beyond what we may think is possible."

Those who are interested in joining or partnering with The Wingman Athlete Team, please direct your emails to jstopping@wingmanfoundation.org.