On Sunday the 2nd of September, Mr Johnson, Mr Ness and Miss Duffy are tackling the Helvellyn Triathlon in the Lake District. This is one of the toughest triathlons in the world which involves a swim in the crystal clear Ullswater (the second largest lake in the Lake District at approximately nine miles long and 0.75 miles wide with a maximum depth of slightly more than 60 metres); a cycle which will include ‘the infamous “struggle” to the top of the Kirkstone Pass (1489ft)’; and finally, a run up and down Hellvellyn (a 3118ft high mountain). 

Miss Duffy, a former swimming champion, who swam for Scotland, will tackle the swim; Mr Ness, fresh from ‘training’ in the Italian hills during the summer, will be cycling; and Mr Johnson, who enjoys running up hills when he gets the chance, will be scaling Helvellyn.

In response to Mr Ness’s assurances that Mr Johnson was going to be the fastest of them all, Mr Johnson said ‘I am without doubt the weakest link. My biggest fear is being handed the baton with our team in first place and then going on to finish last! The run leg does a beautiful loop from the shores of Ullswater to the summit of Helvellyn via Swirral Edge and then back to the lake. I may have to stop to admire the views from time to time…’

All three athletes will be pushing themselves to the limit in aid of our 2018/19 charity (an announcement will be made in early September) so please give as generously as you can – every penny will go directly to the charity and it will give Mr Johnson, Mr Ness and Miss Duffy the momentum to keep going!