Pete Dyson

I am hoping to improve awareness and raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK by doing Ironman Wales triathlon on Sunday 22nd September 2024. It's a 3.8km sea swim at Tenby, a 110 mile cycle around Pembrokeshire and a 42km marathon run around Tenby town.  I will be trying the win the race, but that's not necessarily the most important thing this time.

My triathlon journey started 12 years ago and now it comes full circle. Inspired by London 2012, I remember how Andy, Sarah and I entered the Challenge Henley triathlon as the 'Dyson Siblings Relay',  we were fundraising for Breast Cancer UK for our Mum, who was undergoing treatment and is thankfully is very much still with us.

Back in 2012, my Gran was also suffering from dementia, initially living independently and then in a care home all the way until 100 years old. Since then, I've seen how the condition affects millions of people, but new care is available and it seems the work of Alzheimer's Research UK (which covers all types of dementia) shows justifiable optimism around future treatments and a cure. The charity is the official partner of Ironman triathlon in the UK, partly because the things that make a fast and happy triathlete - lots of exercise, balanced diet and sleep - are crucial ways of preventing and treating the disease. With 40 people racing and wearing the kit, the event hopes to raise a lot of awareness while also raising money. 

I've been lucky that my triathlon performances have gone from strength-to-strength - from naïve beginnings I went onto to race UK domestic elite triathlons 'Super Series' events, lining up with Olympians like Alistair Brownlee (though getting roundly beaten). I pushed on and progressed to long-distance Ironman events and represented GBR in professional Ironman Elite races in Netherlands, Germany and USA. I sometimes even won some prize money that did more than cover my expenses!

Now in 2024, I see my triathlon journey reaching its natural end, I'd like to come full circle and make Ironman Wales my last high-level triathlon. It's an iconic race, much harder than most, and seems an ideal place to wave goodbye*.

I would love to fulfil that original commitment to raise money for an excellent cause.

 (* In coming years, I still have some big cycle challenges and a straight marathon run on my list. I've just progressed triathlon as far as I can :)