At 54 years old, Darren Young is more than just a name in the triathlon world; he symbolises perseverance, courage, and relentless spirit. 

Born in 1970 as one of eight children to George and Karen Young, in the village of Faatoia, Darren's journey from a determined child to a celebrated Ironman athlete is nothing short of remarkable. 

Growing up, Darren looked up to his older brothers, impressive athletes in track and field, yet his early attempts at running fell short, often landing him at the back of the pack. Refusing to be disheartened, he committed himself to training and, in a year, transformed his fortunes. He won the 400m, 800m, and 1500m races at his school athletics. 

Encouraged by his late coach Beverly Barlow, he ventured into long-distance running, a leap that would lead him to the Samoa Marathon.

"Mrs Barlow always encouraged me and pushed me to do my best. She saw the potential of what I could do even when I didn't know it myself. Like how she told me I could run a marathon, and even do a triathlon." he stated. 

It was a challenging experience; his shoes fell apart midway through, forcing him to run barefoot. Though painful, Darren's determination shone through that day, and the memory of his mother caring for his injured feet fueled his passion for athletics. 

After secondary school, Darren's path took a turn. He pursued vocational training in Australia, qualifying as a Fitter, Turner, and Welder. 

At 23, he married Lani Wendt. The couple eventually returned to Samoa, where they founded Young Steel, a leading steel fabrication business, while also managing the international distribution of his wife's award-winning novels. Amid this bustling life, Darren dedicated himself to his family, now with five children, and to his athletic pursuits. 

His sporting journey, however, took a backseat for a time as he navigated through kickboxing and bodybuilding. It wasn't until the age of 33 that Darren returned to running, participating in local fun runs that reignited his passion for the sport. In 2006, he set a National Record in the Half-Marathon at the Oceania Athletics Championships—a record that still stands -  1hr 22:59. By 2007.

He was racing at the Pacific Games as the oldest member of Samoa's athletics team in the 5km and the Half-Marathon. Darren's rekindled love for triathlon came back in 2013 when he made the podium at the Samoa Half-Iron Warrior Race. The following year, inspired by Samoan triathlete and the first Samoan to do Ironman and race the Kona World Champis, Mati Sapolu, Darren completed his first full Ironman in Taupo, New Zealand, igniting a fierce ambition to compete in Kona, Hawaii, the ultimate challenge for long-distance triathletes. 

Since completing his first full Ironman, Darren has participated in over 16 Ironman events globally and another five Half-Ironman races. His achievements at the 2019 Pacific Games, where he led Samoa to a bronze medal in triathlon, are a testament to his dedication. 

In 2023, he once again qualified as the fastest male for the Samoan triathlon team, participating in both the individual triathlon and the Mixed Team Relay during his third Pacific Games. He was part of a group of 12 triathletes that competed in Fiji's National Championship, where he secured a bronze medal. 

Additionally, he emerged victorious in the 2023 American Samoa International Marathon. During this period, Darren played a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability within the triathlon Federation, championing the rights of athletes, and he emphasised that sports federations need to remember why they exist.

"Too many sports Federations forget the reason why they exist. It's because of the athletes. You're there for them. You're accountable to them. Everything we do in our Federation is to help the athletes. That's why I like it when athletes and their families are the ones leading the Federation," stated Darren.

In 2024 alone, he completed his 17th Ironman, excelled at the Oceania Masters Athletics Championships, and won multiple medals at the National Champs. In June, he proudly represented Samoa at the Oceania Masters Athletics Championships in Fiji, where his impressive performance earned him medals in five events: the 5000m, Half-marathon, 1500m, 8km Cross Country, and High Jump. His success continued in July, as he took home a Silver medal at the Triathlon Samoa National Championships, securing his place on the National Team. August saw him clinch gold in the 20km Road Time Trial and Bronze in the 60km Road Race during the 2024 National Championships. The following month, he raced in the Sunshine Coast Half-Ironman in Australia, a significant achievement in his athletic journey. October marked a highlight in his career as he realized his long-time dream of competing in the Kona Ironman World Championships, an event that culminated with the legendary Mati Sapolu congratulating him at the finish line. 

"I'm so proud of Darren - We are from the same village, Faatoia. I remember him, this little kid standing at the counter of their shop. When he started running again, I was happy. Too many of our people quit their sport when they get older. But why? Darren is a great example for all our people. He trains hard, he never gives up. He loves the sport. I'm so happy I could be there to see him race Kona." - Mati Sapolu.

In November, he represented Samoa once more, this time in the challenging 160km Taupo Cycle Championships, where he completed the race in an impressive 5 hours and 30 minutes. He has accomplished all this while managing a business and caring for his family, showcasing not only athletic talent but also dedication to his personal life. Darren continues to balance the demands of his business and family life; he stands as an inspiration to many, proving that with determination and the right support, anything is possible.