The Survival of the Shawangunks is an adventure triathlon divided into eight stages of biking, running, and swimming through the Shawangunk mountains that make up what many refer to as the ‘hardest’ and most ‘fulfilling’ triathlon they’ve ever completed. The complexity of the SOS’ point-to-point course presents all athletes with unique challenges, but even more so for a first-time competitor, retired U.S. Marine Captain, endurance athlete, and amputee, Eric McElvenny. Eric lost his right leg while deployed in Afghanistan by an IED, an injury that forever changed the trajectory of his life and started him on the path to competitive endurance sports with the help of the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In 2018 Eric’s drive to achieve lead him away from traditional triathlons and to the starting line of the SOS, and this is his story.