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Death of Lewisman ignites Wicked Wolf triathlon challenge
LOSING a loved one to cancer often inspires people to take on a challenge in order that another family may never have to suffer in the same way.
For Gemma Powell (26) from Carr-Bridge, it was organising a brand new triathlon in some of the most stunning scenery the Highlands has to offer - with less than four months to bring it all together.
Gemma's dad - Jimmy Powell of 6 Gearra Mor, Borve - was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on November 20, 2009 and died in the Western Isles Hospital just 10 days later.
"It was so quick and so devastating for us all" said Gemma. "I knew I wanted to do something to raise money for Cancer Research UK but it was a matter of what?
"Mountain biking is my passion but with Carr-bridge under three foot of snow for about three months there wasn't much opportunity to get out. It did give me a lot of time to think and that's when I came up with the idea of a triathlon and the Wicked Wolf was born."
The Inaugural Wicked Wolf Triathlon on Saturday, August 7, in Lochindorb and Carr-Bridge, begins with a 3km kayak from the beach at Lochindorb, around the 13th century ruined castle - lair of the notorious Wolf of Badenoch. From there it's a spectacularly scenic 30km mountain bike ride over the Lochindorb moor towards Carr-bridge, then a 9km run around the pretty woodlands of Carr-Bridge. Not forgetting a ceilidh in the evening to round the day off - assuming everyone still has some energy for dancing!
Gemma commented: "We are so grateful to all the support we have been given in order for us to realise this event in such a short time but what we need now is competitors.
"Dad - a Ness man born and bred - lived in Carr-Bridge for around 20 years so it would be great to have some entries from the Western Isles."
Fellow Wicked Wolf organiser, Lisa Campbell (29) also from Carr-Bridge is Gemma's best mountain biking buddy - indeed they travelled to New Zealand together last year to take part in a mountain bike event there.
She said: "It's going to be awesome, the down side is - as organisers - Gemma and I can't actually take part! But we hope lots and lots of other people will and it's certainly not aimed at the super serious athletes, anyone can take part (so long as they are over 16). People can enter either as a team of three - doing one section each - or for the fitter folk - they can sign up as a solo entry. We are limited to 50 entries though so we would encourage people to sign up quickly."
All funds raised by the Wicked Wolf will go directly to Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to research on the causes, prevention and treatment of cancer and is the largest single funder of cancer research in the UK. The charity supports research into all aspects of the disease through the work of more than 4,800 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK.
Survival rates for cancer have doubled in the last 30 years. But one-in-three people will still get cancer at some point during their lifetime. Cancer Research UK's groundbreaking work, funded entirely by the public, will help ensure that millions more people will survive.
Lisa added: "We would ask competitors to attempt to raise a minimum of 75 per solo entry or 150 per team of three and this should result in a very healthy donation for Cancer Research UK."
For more information visit the Wicked Wolf website page www.wickedwolftriathlon.co.uk or visit the Wicked Wolf Triathlon event page on Facebook www.facebook.com or email wickedwolf@live.co.uk
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Friday 25 May 2012
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