More than a race: Eric and Zach’s relentless journey to Mount Gausta

Eric McElvenny and Zach Collett are no strangers to adversity. As combat veterans and paratriathletes, they’ve fought battles far beyond the finish line.

Now, as part of Team Stout and USAT Foundation, they’re taking on the Zalaris Norseman Xtreme Triathlon — not just to test their limits, but to inspire athletes and veterans to reclaim purpose through struggle, camaraderie, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

When most people hear about Norseman — freezing fjords, brutal climbs, and a finish line on top of a mountain — they step back. But for Eric McElvenny, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Paralympian, and Zach Collett, a former Army paratrooper with multiple combat deployments, our race hit them differently.

“A friend read me a line from the race manual, and I instantly said, ‘I’m in.’”, Zach says. For Eric, Norseman had been a goal since he first heard of it during his early triathlon days. “I’ve always loved to challenge myself and discover what my potential can be,” he says. “This is about more than the finish line. It’s about the journey, the bond you form with your support team, and pushing through something that demands everything you’ve got.”

Eric McElvenny on the finish line at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Photo: Delly Carr

Eric and Zach will race under Team Stout and USAT Foundation, a mission-driven initiative powered by “Relentless Excellence.” That message isn’t just a slogan for both athletes — it’s a lived experience.

“Relentless means refusing to give up,” Eric explains. “After losing my leg, I saw an opportunity to grow. That mindset took me to the Paralympic Games — and now, to Norseman.” Zach echoes the sentiment. “From my mom’s work ethic to my years in the military, relentless pursuit of excellence is something I’ve always chased. Stout and USAT Foundation believe in what we’re doing, which drives us forward.”

Far from being a solo journey, Norseman—like life after service is something you don’t go through alone. “The camaraderie is everything,” Eric says. “Whether it’s a Marine unit or your triathlon team, knowing you’ve got people beside you changes everything.”

Zach Collett rides through the forest.

The road to Norseman hasn’t been without obstacles. For Eric, the biggest challenge hasn’t been physical—it’s been the constant battle to keep his prosthetics fitting as his body changes through training. “It’s mentally exhausting,” he admits. “But it’s also part of what makes finishing this race so meaningful.”

Zach reflects on the longer arc of mental toughness: “You build resilience one step at a time. It's all about staying in the fight, from combat to recovery to the endurance world. For me, Norseman is another chapter that proves I’m still here. Still moving. Still capable.”

When asked what they hope to prove by reaching the summit of Gaustatoppen, both athletes go beyond personal validation.

“For me, it’s about showing others — especially veterans — that setting a goal and chasing it is transformative,” Eric says. “It doesn’t have to be Norseman. But challenge yourself. That journey changes you.”

Zach says, “It’s not that I have something to prove. But I want to be a lighthouse for others. If you’re in a storm, I want you to see someone who’s made it through. The finish line becomes proof — not for others, but for yourself — that you’re capable of more than you think.”

A message to fellow veterans

Both Eric and Zach hope their efforts can resonate with other veterans navigating life after service.

“After leaving the Marines, I felt a void,” Eric shares. “Serving a higher purpose was gone. Through challenges like Norseman, I’ve found new purpose — and I want others to know that’s possible.”

Zach adds: “Inspiration fades. Motivation fades. What lasts is rediscovering who you really are. Deep down, inside every veteran, there’s an athlete. I hope our story helps someone start that journey — to remember their strength, find their purpose, and move forward with clarity.”

As Norseman approaches, Eric and Zach aren’t chasing podiums — they’re chasing meaning. And whether they’re swimming through icy fjords or climbing toward the clouds, they’ll be doing so not alone, but as brothers in effort, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

For those reading — especially fellow veterans — their message is clear: Start. Struggle. Grow. And remember who you are.

See you soon in Eidfjord, Eric and Zach.