Navy lieutenant completes 5th IRONMAN in Panama City Beach in memory of friend

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) — Navy Lt. Will Clark competed in his fifth IRONMAN in Panama City Beach on Saturday, carrying the memory of his friend, Capt. Carlos Gallardo, with him.

Clark continues to race to raise money and awareness for veterans.

Loss of a friend

Gallardo, Clark’s best friend, died by suicide in 2022. Clark said Gallardo was his first friend in the naval academy.

“He was the first guy that came to me and said, ‘Hey, I’m gonna take you by my wayside. I’m gonna help you through this,’” Clark said. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have made it through.”

“I just wish I could’ve been there for him that day,” Clark said.

First IRONMAN

Gallardo always encouraged Clark to compete in an IRONMAN. Clark decided to race in his friend’s memory the day he learned Gallardo had died.

“You know what, screw it,” Clark said. “IRONMAN Barcelona. That was literally the next one in October.”

Clark completed his first IRONMAN, crossing the finish line with Gallardo’s identification bracelet in his hand.

“It was the best feeling in the world, honestly,” Clark said.

Racing for veterans

Clark said he plans to keep racing to honor people like Gallardo.

“Keep honoring people like Carlos. A lot of other people struggle, and I’ve lost other friends because of the same thing, just with the military and everything that goes on,” Clark said.

“Everyone has battles, and you kind of got to keep fighting that battle for them,” he said.

How to donate

Clark said Gallardo was involved in the special operations community.

Donations to support the Special Operations Foundation can be made here: Special Operations Warrior Foundation

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