Block Island Sport Shop began sponsoring John Hirsch in 2000. An Ironman specialist who turned pro in 2004, John is an outstanding athlete and a great story. While the Ironman distance is his favorite and best event, John has won everything from sprint tris and 70.3’ tris to off road triathlons and trail running races. He generally does not win 50 yard beach sprints, however.


John lines up with the worlds’ best pros several times a year. Somehow he also manages to hold down a professional law job in Manhattan as a public defender for the Legal Aid Society. He has a law degree from Columbia University and is clearly of that rare breed who lives the goal of giving back to others as well as pursuing his own dreams and adventures. He is an inspiration.


His Block Island connection is on Spring Street where his parents reside year round. He spent many summers working on Block Island and currently spends many days here road  cycling, running the trails and swimming in the pristine waters.


Jim discovered John when he was a newbie with gobs of raw talent. The two became fast friends, so to speak, a relationship forged on miles of swimming, biking and running as well as countless road trips to races and training camps.

Click HERE to link to John Hirsch bloghttp://www.johnhirsch.org