Fr. Dan Callahan, SA, completed his 17th Lake Placid Ironman race on July 28, 2018!

Beginning with a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a grueling 112-mile bike trail through the Adirondack Mountains, and then a 26.2 mile run, Fr. Dan demonstrated physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual discipline by completing this extraordinary race.

This year, the 20th anniversary of the Lake Placid Ironman race, Fr. Dan was invited to give an invocation and offer an interfaith prayer at the pre-race celebration. Wearing a cross that depicts Christ as the Good Shepherd, Fr. Dan shared with the crowd the oft-repeated quote of Pope Francis that shepherds should smell like their sheep, inferring that clergy should be active in serving outside of the church with their parishioners. He also emphasized the spirit of camaraderie felt between those competing, who are of all different faiths, and the encouragement he feels when so many on the sidelines cheer him on, yelling “Go, Iron Friar!”

Fr. Dan races to benefit local charities, and the people he has come to love during his time as a pastor. This year, he raised about $20,000 for St. Joan of Arc parish in Toronto, Ontario! That money is used to fund a host of programs that benefit both the Catholic faithful, as well as the surrounding community. Over the years, Fr. Dan has raised over $350,000 for various charities. What an incredible achievement!