Worksop dad takes on gruelling 26-day duathlon challenge for Alzheimer’s Society

A Worksop father-of-one is running and cycling over 17 miles a day for 26 days raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society.
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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.

As part of the gruelling physical ordeal - known as a duathlon - Adrian starts with a 5km run, followed by a 20km bike ride before finishing with a 2.5km run.

Electrical sales manager Adrian chose to do 26 duathlons as a nod to the London Marathon which has been cancelled along with many other events - leaving charities like the Alzheimer’s Society with a drop-off in income from fundraising.

Adrian Hopkinson is taking on 26 duathlons in 26 daysAdrian Hopkinson is taking on 26 duathlons in 26 days
Adrian Hopkinson is taking on 26 duathlons in 26 days

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

This will be the second fundraising campaign he has taken on for the charity - after running Worksop Half Marathon for them last year.

He said: “They send me regular updates throughout the year - letting me know how they use money raised for them.

“They thanked me for doing the half marathon and sent me quite a personal message - which was really nice.”

Adrian Hopkinson ran the Worksop Half Marathon for the Alzheimer's Society last yearAdrian Hopkinson ran the Worksop Half Marathon for the Alzheimer's Society last year
Adrian Hopkinson ran the Worksop Half Marathon for the Alzheimer's Society last year

Novice athlete Adrian - who started his challenge on April 26 - is currently averaging a duathlon within one hour and ten minutes every day.

He completes the 20km bike ride in about 40 minutes or just over and the 5km run in around 20 minutes.

Though he admitted beginning to feel fatigued after about eight days into the daunting trial.

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Adrian with wife Amy, 30, and daughter Skye, 11Adrian with wife Amy, 30, and daughter Skye, 11
Adrian with wife Amy, 30, and daughter Skye, 11

He said: “It’s quite physically-demanding - the thing I find hard about it is not having rest periods in-between days.

“I’m aiming to do it at the same time every day so that I have at least 24 hours’ rest.

“I have a long way to go still but I just try and take it one day at a time and not think about how many I still have to do.”

To make a donation to Adrian’s crowdfunding page click HERE.

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