Northern Ireland’s Decaman challenge
Andrew Hassard, Robert Davison and Keith Clarke set to attempt 10 iron-distance challenges in 10 days in July
From 6-15 July, at Eskragh Lough, Dungannon, three Northern Irish men – Andrew Hassard from Ballyclare, Robert Davison from Cookstown and Keith Clarke from Dungannon – will attempt 10 iron-distance challenges in 10 days.
The NI Decaman is a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike and then a marathon (26.2miles) each day. Assuming everything goes to plan, the athletes will have completed a total swim of 24-miles, a total cycle of 1,120-miles and a total run of 262-miles all in 10 days.
The reason? To challenge their limits to the extreme and to raise vital funds for Cancer Focus NI.
As Hassard states, “I’ve no doubt there will be the highest of highs, the lowest of lows, some of the deepest, darkest holes to work my way through and a few other unplanned surprises and issues to face (not least the fact I’m an eating machine at the best of times never mind during a 15,000 calories per day event!). But whatever problems I face, it’s nothing compared to the battle a cancer sufferer faces.”
We’ll be following the highs and lows of the trio as they undertake their challenge from 6 July. Check for daily updates at www.220triathlon.com.
If you would like to support the men, please text: DECA10 £5 TO 70070. More at events.ulstercancer.org/ps/event/NIDECAMAN1.
Newtownabbey based Physical Lifestyle Clinic Body Lab NI has been helping local triathlete Andrew Hassard prepare for his next epic challenge, providing Sports Massages, Physiotherapy and Nutritional advice leading up to and throughout the Northern Ireland Decaman.
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
