Starting this Sunday, 7th August, Frankie Tinsley will take on the first Great British Triathlon. Cycling from Lands’ End to John O’Groats, the former Royal Marines Commando and current RAF Physical Training Instructor will also attempt to swim the three biggest lakes and climb the three biggest peaks along the way.
The challenge is being run to promote better mental and physical health and to support the charity CALM in the movement against suicide (www.thecalmzone.net).
- The gruelling schedule will include:
9th August, cycle 551km, Lands’ End to Lake Bala - 10th August, swim 6km, Lake Bala
- 11th August, run 63km, Snowdon
- 12th August, cycle 260km, Snowdon to Windermere
- 13th August, swim 18km, Windermere
- 14th August, run 29km, Scafell Pike
- 15-16th August, cycle 355km, Scafell Pike to Loch Awe
- 17-18th August, swim 41km, Loch Awe
- 19th August, run 103km, Kinlochleven and Ben Nevis
- 20-21st August, cycle 302km, Ben Nevis to John O’Groats
“Every week, 125 people in the UK take their own lives. 75% of all UK suicides are male,” says Frankie Tinsley. “In May 2016 Andrew Shepherd, A Royal Air Force Physical Training Instructor, originally from Ballachulish - Scotland took his own life. I had seen him just days before he moved back to Scotland with his wife Gayle and young daughter Ari.
“In January 2017 Andrew Morris, A Royal Air Force Physical Training Instructor, originally from Falmouth - Cornwall, took his own life. Less than 6 months earlier Andy and I had planned to organise some form of Charity event spanning England, Wales and Scotland.
“The Talisman Triathlon is the product of that conversation; I didn’t choose the event – it chose me,” he continues. “I have never completed a Triathlon, and no one has yet to establish a Triathlon across Britain’s longest lakes and highest mountains; in all respects, I am an underdog, taking on something that has never been done before.
“The Talisman Triathlon, over 14 days, built on the background stories of Andy and Andy, will present a narrative surrounding Physical and Mental health (Strong in body and mind) to raise awareness around suicide. I hope that others will join me on this journey to add even greater depth to this conversation. I will travel from Lands’ End to John O’Groats. I will visit Andrew Morris’s memorial Bench on the first day of the challenge. Toward the end of my Journey, I will pass Ballachulish, where Andrew Shepherd chose to pass.
“I also hope that my journey of effort, mindset, suffering, belief and sacrifice for a higher purpose will encourage those unknown individuals who may be struggling in silence to continue to fight their own battles. By signposting the charity – CALM and raising funds, I hope that this event will encourage these individuals to speak out in order to get the help and support that they very much need.”
The challenge is supported by Calm, Thrudark and HUUB. 220 Triathlon will be following the event and Editor Helen Webster will be joining Tinsley for the 6km Bala swim. Read our full feature in issue 396.
Follow Tinsley’s progress on Instagram @talismantriathlon and to donate:
