
About Me
Fireman Rob's Story
My name is Robert Verhelst, yet most people know me as Fireman Rob. I am a career firefighter for the City of Madison, Wisconsin since 2000, an Air Force veteran, and did search and Recovery after the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. My mission to inspire people to “Live your passion” started in 2011 when I did Ironman Wisconsin, which landed on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I did it differently than most though and for the purpose of honoring those who lost their lives and those who responded. I did the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike then donned my full firefighter gear (helmet, bunker pants, jacket, and air pack weighing 50 lbs.) for the 26.2-mile run. Finishing the race at 16 hours and 17 minutes and igniting an insatiable drive to inspire others to find their passions and LIVE!
Since that moment in 2011, I have completed 23 Full Ironman distance and 29 Half Ironman Distance triathlons in full firefighter gear for every run portion totaling 1,022 miles in my gear. In 2015, I pushed the envelope of what is possible and broke the Guinness World Record for the Most Ironman 70.3 Triathlons in one year with 23. The existing record that was done all in normal triathlon gear, but I broke it by completing each run portions with my fire gear. No extra-record or credit, yet the purpose was to ignite the globe in understanding what we are capable of when driven by passion.
About Me
Fireman Rob's Story
My name is Robert Verhelst, yet most people know me as Fireman Rob. I am a career firefighter for the City of Madison, Wisconsin since 2000, an Air Force veteran, and did search and Recovery after the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. My mission to inspire people to “Live your passion” started in 2011 when I did Ironman Wisconsin, which landed on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I did it differently than most though and for the purpose of honoring those who lost their lives and those who responded. I did the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike then donned my full firefighter gear (helmet, bunker pants, jacket, and air pack weighing 50 lbs.) for the 26.2-mile run. Finishing the race at 16 hours and 17 minutes and igniting an insatiable drive to inspire others to find their passions and LIVE!
Since that moment in 2011, I have completed 23 Full Ironman distance and 29 Half Ironman Distance triathlons in full firefighter gear for every run portion totaling 1,022 miles in my gear. In 2015, I pushed the envelope of what is possible and broke the Guinness World Record for the Most Ironman 70.3 Triathlons in one year with 23. The existing record that was done all in normal triathlon gear, but I broke it by completing each run portions with my fire gear. No extra-record or credit, yet the purpose was to ignite the globe in understanding what we are capable of when driven by passion.

In addition, I started the Fireman Rob Foundation in 2013 and since that date, we have delivered 7,500 Gund Teddy Bears to children in hospitals throughout the world. Our mission is simply to #BearASMILE on children in need of a moment of happiness. SMILE to me means (Simple Moments Impact Lives Every day).
Rob's Experience Also Includes
Sponsored Endurance Athlete
Career Fireman & 9/11 Rescuer
USA
Air Force Veteran
3 Endurance World Records
M.S. Emergency Management
Rob's Experience Also Includes
Sponsored Endurance Athlete
Career Fireman & 9/11 Rescuer
USA Air Force Veteran
3 Endurance World Records
M.S. Emergency Management
The Athlete
Rob's Gear
Since 2011, Fireman Rob has completed over 50 of triathlons and Ironman races in Full Firefighter Gear; earning him multiple World Records for most triathlons completed in full gear.
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Fire Helmet: 5 lbs
Bunker Coat + Pants: 10 lbs
Air Pak: 35 lbs
The Athlete
Rob's Gear
Since 2011, Fireman Rob has completed over XAMOUNT of triathlons and Ironman races in Full Firefighter Gear; earning him the Guinness World Record holder of most triathlons completed in full gear within one year.
0
0
0

Fire Helmet: 5 lbs
Bunker Coat + Pants: 10 lbs
Air Pak: 35 lbs
The Athlete
Rob's Gear
Since 2011, Fireman Rob has completed over XAMOUNT of triathlons and Ironman races in Full Firefighter Gear; earning him the Guinness World Record holder of most triathlons completed in full gear within one year.
