Kingstown College Student Wins UK Deca Iron Man

We are so proud of our Kingstown College student Gerry Duffy. Gerry has won the first ever UK Deca IronMan Challenge when he crossed the finish line in Hampshire around midnight last night. The gruelling event involves completing 10 full IronMan races (2.5mile swim, 116 mile cycle & 26 mile marathon) in 10 consecutive days! It is truly impossible to imagine the bravery and determination required to complete such an amazing challenge.

Here's Gerry the morning after the night before tired, but happy. What an achievement!

Gerry is currently studying with the College to obtain a Professional Qualification in Coaching.

Gerry, 43 years old hailing from Mullingar. Co Westmeath won the event with an accumulated lead of an absolutely astonishing 19 hours! Gerry embraces Henry Ford's famous words "if you think you can or you think you cant, you are right" and he certainly lived by these beliefs in taking up and completing this monumental challenge.

To put Gerry's efforts into perspective 20 hard willed & ultra fit competitor's began the challenge last Friday week but only 3 finished. Participants had to start their daily outdoor swim at 6am each day after only a few hours sleep not once, BUT 10 TIMES! Over the 10 days Gerry completed a mind-boggling 24 miles of swimming, 1,120 miles of cycling and 262 miles of running.

Gerry in action

What Gerry has done is truly unbelievable, being a true inspiration for the entire country! Not only did he complete the most demanding physical challenge ever conceived, he has also raised much needed funds for Irish Autism Action. If you would like to support Gerry in his continual fuindraising efforts please log onto http://www.32marathons.com/

This is not the first momumental challenge completed by our Advanced Diploma in Coaching student! Last year Gerry and his close friend Ken Whitelaw completed 32 marathons in 32 days, one in each of the counties of Ireland. The remarkable achievement raised €500,000 for Irish Autism Ireland and The Irish Cancer Society. Gerry has written an inspirational account of his first astounding challenge which you can see below. It is a truly great read for anyone searching for that little bit extra motivation in their lives and is available in all good book stores now!

For previous posts please visit our old blog.