Arlene set out to complete a half Ironman distance of 70.3miles (1.2mile swim, 56mile bike ride and a 13.1mile) in order to raise money for the Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukemia (TCCL).  With a time of 7 - 8 hours completion time in her head, Arlene sat at the side of Live Active Blairgowrie swimming pool looking both excited and nervous at the challenge that lay ahead.  Any Ironman is not for the faint hearted at the best of times and a tremendous amount of training hours need to be put in just to complete it.  Due to the COVID pandemic Arlene needed to complete this without having other participants pushing her on in an actual organised event.

Arlene set off at 07:45 this morning completing 100 lengths of the pool before literally getting on her bike that would take her around the country roads of Perth and Kinross.  The cycle route would finish at Kilgraston gates, where the running shoes would be immediately put on and a 13.1 mile run to Almondbank and then doubling back and finishing at the George Duncan Athletics Track for a couple of times round the track.  This was done in an incredible time of 6 hours 50 minutes.

A big massive thank you needs to go to her support team who kept her company at different stages of the challenge.  Her daughter Hayley who completed the 100 lengths of the swim. Richard Pearson, who also advised on the route, Jimmy Fotheringham and Richard Ward went round the cycle route and Julie Cummings and Tessa Ward were there for the half marathon distance.  Hayley Johnston who is the very reason this all began was there at the end to cheer Arlene on and run the final 200 meters to the end.

To date Arlene has smashed her target of £500 and is just under £1k.  Thank you to all those who have donated, it is very much appreciated.  TCCL is an incredible charity and has been an ever present support for Hayley and her family as well as many other families who have to deal with this. For anyone who would still like to donate then please follow the link https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ArleneMcwalter

Thank you to Arlene herself who has done all the work. A great challenge for a tremendous charity by an amazing person.