Neurological Foundation of New Zealand

Irishman Mark Adams, a young physiotherapist with a big heart, will compete in his first half Ironman on 18 December and has nominated the Neurological Foundation as his chosen charity.

Mark has been in New Zealand for 20 months and lives in scenic Sumner in Christchurch – a place he can now officially call home after recent residency approval. He has chosen to support the Foundation for two reasons: “I’m a physiotherapist and work in Older Person’s Health. Each day I work with people that can potentially benefit from the research the Neurological Foundation sponsors. And because the research is international, I wanted to fundraise for a charity that people from home and here could relate to.”

Mark has committed to a grueling training schedule, and has to train across the three very different disciplines that a half-Ironman involves – swimming, cycling and running. “I’ve only done one other triathlon before and that was last weekend, so it’s all a bit new to me!” Mark has also set himself a time challenge for the big race. “I’ve a competitive streak hidden away somewhere. Fingers crossed for under six hours, maybe faster.” 

Rotorua is loved by athletes from all over the world for its picturesque races, and the scenery involves lots of hard hills and rough off-road tracks. The Rotorua Charity Half-Ironman event involves a two kilometre swim in Lake Tikitapu, followed by a 90 kilometre bike ride, rounded off by a testing 21 kilometre off-road run. (Mark, we’ll be thinking of you!)

Once Mark has completed this challenge, he’ll be looking quickly to the next. “I’m thinking maybe a cycle race? I’m keen to get good at surfing too, and to do a lot of ocean swimming as it’s summer. I may aim for the full Ironman in Wanaka in 2012 and am mulling over the thought of doing the half down there in the New Year as I heard it’s really scenic.”

The Neurological Foundation is very grateful to Mark for his commitment to his race. If you would like to sponsor Mark, please go to his fundraising online page: www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/MarkAdams

We wish you well Mark!