Worksop dad pulls off 26-day duathlon challenge for Alzheimer’s charity – smashing his fundraising target

A Worksop dad of one has completed an exhausting 26-day duathlon challenge - raising nearly £2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Adrian Hopkinson, 32, took on the challenge in memory of his wife’s grandfather Ron Hale - who suffered with the condition before his death aged 72.

Electrical sales manager Adrian put a 5km run, a 20km bike ride and a 2.5km run under his belt every day as part of the testing physical ordeal.

He chose to do 26 duathlons in recognition of the cancelled London Marathon - leaving charities like the Alzheimer’s Society with a drop-off in income from fundraising.

Tired Adrian Hopkinson has raised over £1,800 for the Alzheimer's SocietyTired Adrian Hopkinson has raised over £1,800 for the Alzheimer's Society
Tired Adrian Hopkinson has raised over £1,800 for the Alzheimer's Society

Novice athlete Adrian - who set a fundraising goal of £200 when he began - said he was ‘amazed’ at the generosity of Worksop people.

The chuffed dad was also approached by local businesses - who donated prizes for a raffle draw.

He hopes the money raised from selling 119 tickets will see his final amount well over the £2,000 mark.

Tired Adrian gave a special thanks to Crank Works bike repairs - who repaired a bike wheel on the penultimate day of his taxing feat.

Adrian Hopkinson after finishing his challenge - day 26Adrian Hopkinson after finishing his challenge - day 26
Adrian Hopkinson after finishing his challenge - day 26
Read More
Worksop pensioner denied parking outside home of 30 years by council bus box

Though he admitted struggling with fatigue Adrian told how he found a second wind around the half-way point.

Adrian said: “I’ve had a lot of support from local businesses - without them it would never have got to the level it’s at.

“I also had a lot of support from local people following my progress - which got me through the tough days.

Adrian Hopkinson setting out on the final dayAdrian Hopkinson setting out on the final day
Adrian Hopkinson setting out on the final day

“I could see donations coming in through notifications while I was cycling and that really helped me keep going.”

On average Adrian was finishing the 20km bike ride in about 40 minutes or just over and the 5km run in around 20 minutes throughout the daunting effort.

However amazingly on day 24 he pulled off record times of just over 36 minutes and 18 minutes and 44 seconds.

Adrian told the Guardian how he decided on the Alzheimer's Society because ‘it’s just a great charity’ and in memory of grandfather Ron - who died in 2015.

To see a list of the businesses who donated click HERE. To make a donation to Adrian’s fundraising page click HERE.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor