I'm taking part in the Bastion Full Iron Distance triathlon on the 10th July 2016 at Hever Castle in Kent as I know of a little boy called Harry Barnley. He suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. 

His and his families story is set out below.

If you feel able to sponsor me, the money will be used to help fund vital research into this dreadful disease and hopefully one day find a cure.

It was often pointed out that Harry's calves and legs were bigger than children of his age so family and friends would joke that Harry will soon find his way to the rugby pitch. Unfortunately Harry couldn't quite keep up with his friends when running so after various GP appointments Harry had a blood test.

On the 1st June 2013 we were told the results and our world fell apart. We were told it was serious and more tests were needed but it was suspected Harry has Muscular Dystrophy. Two months later following a muscle by a muscle biopsy it was confirmed Harry has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

So now we know by his 10th birthday it is likely he will be in a wheel chair and his upper body will then begin to shut down due to this rare and painful condition leaving him locked inside his own body. As a muscular degenerative disease eventually his heart and lungs will fail, almost certainly before he is 30. The most difficult part - there is no cure, it will happen and it is 100% fatal.

There is a large amount of research currently taking place in the UK and abroad but as yet the only treatment is a steroid program to help manage the disease.

More details on my challenge:

A ‘full iron distance’ race is made up of 3 parts:

1. The swim – 3.8km (2.4 miles)

2. The cycle – 180km (112.5 miles)

3. The run – 43km (26.2 - marathon distance)

All completed without stopping and without a rest.

To add to the difficultly this is also not a flat course (except for the swim!), the cycle has an elevation gain of nearly 8000ft and the run and equally brutal 1300ft.

Last year’s winner completed the course in 10hrs 1 min, and the last place finisher took just under 16hrs 30mins – so as you can see it’s a pretty tough challenge in its own right!

To make sure I’m fit enough, as of the end of February, I’ll be taking on a 20 week plan to complete around 300 hrs of training all consisting of swimming, running and cycling. On top of this, I’ll be entering a number of other races as I build up to the big day itself. A number of these are significant too:

1. 14th February – Worthing Half Marathon

2. 13th March – 20 mile spitfire run at Dunsfold Aerodrome

3. 17th April - Brighton Marathon - 26.2 miles around Brighton 

4. 1st May – 3 Forts Challenge: 27 miles across the South Downs (over 3000ft of climbing)

5. 8th May - East Grindstead Sprint Triathlon

6. 15th May – Immortal Half Iron Distance Triathlon in Whiltshire

7. 18th Jun - River Arun; 3.8km swim

8. 21st Jun – Ardingly lake; 1500m open water swim race

I’d like to support Harry’s cause and to raise as much money as I can to help him and others like him to be able to continue as normal a life as possible for as long as possible. 

Please give whatever you can for this fantastic cause!

Thank you,

Nicky