Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
TOP triathletes from around the world gathered in the kingdom to compete in the grueling Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain alongside brave and determined amateurs aiming to achieve their dreams.
Angus Campbell, the CEO of the Bahrain Financial Harbour Holding Company, highlighted on last week’s Back Page, had been training twice-a-week since January in the lead up to the intense annual swim, bike and run endurance challenge.
The 57-year-old member of The House of Prayer, Wheels & Banter Society, was well prepared after taking part in events organised by the Bahrain Triathlon Association, including a sprint triathlon and an Olympic triathlon.
His aim was to complete an Ironman before his 60th birthday and last Saturday that dream became a reality when he crossed the finish line in seven hours and 16 minutes.
An Ironman 70.3, also known as a Half Ironman, is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organised by the World Triathlon Corporation. The ‘70.3’ refers to the total distance in miles covered in the race, consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run.
“To be honest, this time last year I did not think that I was capable of completing an Ironman 70.3 within the allotted eight hours 30 minutes,” admitted the Scotsman, pictured top right. “My achievement was only possible due to the positive encouragement of friends and family, as well as the opportunity to train with others over the course of the year. I had not run since leaving school in 1980 and only began running a year ago.
“The hardest thing about training is starting. It is never too late to begin doing some moderate exercise and to just keep building on this over time. Gradually it does become easier and also more enjoyable.
“I would like to thank the Ironman 70.3 Bahrain organisers for putting on a fantastic event. I would also like to thank the entire Ministry of Interior staff and the volunteers who made the event possible and for their support and encouragement.”
Triathlete Mariam Turki, 34, pictured bottom right, who works at the National Bank of Bahrain, also completed her fourth Ironman. She originally started running two years ago and has completed the Bahrain and Dubai Ironman 70.3. She was the fourth Bahraini overall female to finish in Bahrain and the first place GCC female. She even participated in Ironman in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The full-time mum who lives in Riffa had been training around 15 hours-a-week in preparation for the event with a promise to herself that she would not walk at any stage.
“I was stronger this time, and I gave it my absolute best and actually got my personal best time,” said Mariam who finished in six hours. “I dropped 35 minutes from my last race in Bahrain. My coach Jassim Al Bastaki has been a great mentor and support. He pushed me and the rest of the team, made sure we never missed a training session and it’s been a great experience. I am very happy with my results!
“I run and participate because it gives me a purpose and for self-achievement. I also like to encourage others.”
Mariam and her friend, a co-founder of an athletic wear company, Dana Zubari, started up a Lettuce Run group to encourage women to start running.
“We had girls who could hardly run two minutes when they started and now they have completed a 5km run in the Iron Girl race, we are very proud of them,” said Mariam. “I’d like to thank my husband, my sister, my parents, my cousins and my friends for all their support. I wouldn’t have gone through this journey without it. You need a lot of mental strength and their support really helped me overcome my long training hours.”
Competitor Mohammed Javed, pictured bottom left, also achieved Ironman glory finishing the race in six hours and 15 minutes. The 59-year-old who describes himself as a ‘driver by occupation but runner by passion’ had competed in half marathons, marathons, triathlons and duathlons over the years.
After completing a marathon in the UK, he consecutively participated in four Ironman competitions in South Africa in 2015, then Malaysia in 2016, followed by France in 2017 and Netherland in 2018. He found the Bahrain race to be a ‘thrilling and exciting’ experience.
“I am certain that the feeling is unique for every person that crosses the Ironman finish line since each story, journey and experience is different,” said Mohammed, who lives in Gudaibiya. “The event was well organised and I didn’t find any difficulty. However, I suffer from heel pain and inflammation called plantar fasciitis and that was very painful.
“This race would not have been possible without the support of my family and friends. My next goal is Ironman Frankfurt 2019.”
Penny White, who successfully completed the London Marathon in April and raised £5,000 in support of Brain Research UK, a charity which looks into ways to help people with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and brain tumours, was back in competitive action with the help of friends.
The team, which included Danielle Shaw and Kylee-Jai Wright, was called ‘Can we just buy a medal?’ It was their first time competing in any Ironman event which is why the Saar trio decided to participate as a team. They completed the course in seven hours and 37 minutes.
“Kylee-Jai did a magnificent 1.03 hour swim,” said Penny, 45, pictured top left. “She was sick through stress and the fumes from the jet skis. Dani flew on the bike knocking a rather wonderful 40 minutes off her estimated time and cycled 90km in 3.03 hours. I plodded a horrible half marathon plagued by cramping calves and a mucked up metatarsal.
“We all trained a few times a week - separately as we didn’t need to worry about change overs. It was hard; training is, for me anyway, the worst bit as it’s the time away from family. It made it so much easier for us three that our husbands were so behind us.
“We do this because we are clinically insane – I only seem to run if I have a goal and I only set myself stupidly high ones. I would like to do it again as I want to do better for Kylee-Jai and Dani.
“My husband, Chris, was there as was Kylee-Jai’s and Dani’s families. Our children loved the day, loved the medals and none of us could have done it without them. But even more importantly we wouldn’t have had the same experience without each other and I thank them both very much for including me.”
It wasn’t all roses for some. One unlucky expat, who asked not to be named, did not complete the challenge as intended.
She took to social media to share her plight after suffering technical issues. “The timer chip didn’t work,” she said. “I got yelled at in the swim at 48 minutes and chased by a coastguard saying my time was up.
“I didn’t get to the bike because they couldn’t get my timer chip to work. I had the best run I have ever had but no finish line picture. Still feel cheated but what to do?
“I’m signed up for three more Ironmans and now have lost a bit of motivation thinking the same thing could happen. Now, how do I get my mental toughness back after something like that?”
She said though that Ironman did give her and some others a free entry to any future Ironman70.3 event to compensate for the experience and were very apologetic.
This year, the event attracted more than 3,000 triathletes from 84 countries and it was held under the patronage of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
The course kicked off at The Avenues Bahrain waters, where one lap of 1.9km began and finished at the mall. It incorporated a rolling swim start for age group athletes and professional athletes. Competitors then transitioned to the bike, riding from the landmark twisted tower in Bahrain Bay through the city, passing landmarks such as the Bahrain World Trade Centre, Bahrain Financial Harbour, Dilmun Burial Mounds, National Charter Monument, Bahrain International Circuit and then back to Manama.
Finally, there was a three-loop run course on King Faisal Highway, giving spectators a chance to cheer on the athletes. Families and friends watched and waited for their loved ones next to mall, where the finish line was situated.
