The “Iron Friar” Preparing For His Final Races

June 24, 2022

For the last 25 years, Fr. Dan as been providing witness and inspiration at triathlon races since 1997. Through his participation, the “Iron Friar,” as he is known, has raised more than $350,000 for various charities.

The Iron Friar recently competed in the 2022 Tupper Lake Tinman Triathlon on June 25, where he swam 1.2 miles, biked 56 miles, and ran 13.1 miles. He proudly received a second-place award.

Fr. Dan will complete in his final full Triathlon at the 2022 Ironman Lake Placid on July 24, where he will run an incredible 24 times. He will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles.

Finally, he is taking part in the friars’ own 2022 “Be the Bridge: Walk for Recovery,” a fundraiser and support for those struggling with addiction and to celebrate their continuing path to recovery. The event will take place on the Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, NY on Sunday, September 25th.

Want to join Fr. Callahan as he competes in his final races? There are two different ways you can support him and his mission. First, you can donate to help Fr. Dan and his plight to combat the addiction crisis. Second, you can sign up and/or make a special donation to Be the Bridge: Walk for Recovery and join Fr. Callahan as we come together to help others on their journey to recovery.

We are very proud of the Iron Friar and all that he has done to spread the Mission of Christ, and we are excited to support him as he runs his last full triathlon.

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Overall the program and facility at St. Christopher’s Inn is the best, bar none.

Family program is PERFECT please don’t change a thing.

I took part in the GED program and was quite satisfied. I haven’t taken the test yet, but I have very high hopes of passing.

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The experience of being here and becoming a member of the Brothers Christopher fraternity has changed my life. Being in the Friars house was a blessing. Their generosity gave me knowledge I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for the privilege I was given to stay here in your house. God bless you all. I will always keep a piece of St. Christopher’s Inn in my heart.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hot meals, warm bed and unconditional love you so easily gave to me. I know if it were not for you, I would truly still be a lost soul.

The road to recovery is called Franciscan Way, and the door to happiness lies within the walls of St. Christopher’s Inn.

I never thought someone could care for a drug addict like me. You have shown me that I am worth something. May God bless you a million times.

Thank you for welcoming me in to your home, and granting me a scholarship for treatment. There’s not enough “thank-yous” I could say, so I’m going to show you by staying clean and living a peaceful sober life.

I want to thank you for everything—from my stay here to working in the Thrift Shop. I am so grateful for St. Christopher’s Inn and every staff member that represents this fantastic organization.

I was amazed by the unbelievable generosity of everyone at our Christmas party. A nice scarf and a collared shirt—I have been through hundreds in my life but I have never cared for any of them as I do for these. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas in many, many years.

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Today, I am a sober man. I live an honest and simple life. I’m a reliable, employable productive member of society. I have dignity and self-worth and even self-love. All of these things are a direct result of the care and guidance given to me by the Friars and the staff at St. Christopher’s Inn. Some people call it a homeless shelter. I call it home.