A group of diabetes specialists from the Royal Glamorgan Hospital took on the inaugural Cardiff Triathlon last month.
The 13 doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants all work at the hospital’s diabetes centre. Together they raised £750 to help us fund vital research and provide support for the 188,000 people in Wales who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
The team took part in the sprint distance triathlon, which was made up of a 750 metre swim in Cardiff Bay, 20 kilometre bike ride and five kilometre run around Cardiff Bay Barrage.
An exhilarating experience
The team was organised by junior doctor Mike Atkinson. Mike said: “Diabetes is such an important issue here in Wales. As healthcare professionals, we see and care for people living with diabetes every single day.
“All of us have different fitness levels but we got stuck in to the training together and we really formed a great bond. The biggest challenge on the morning of the triathlon was the rain! Getting into the water in Cardiff bay was not an appealing prospect, but we were determined not to let the rain dampen our spirits and once we got going it was an exhilarating experience."
Thanks to their determination and team spirit they all completed the course in under two hours.
Team spirit
Gaynor Harris, Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse, said: “Taking part in the triathlon was a great personal challenge, as well as an opportunity to support a charity close to all our hearts. I went from a non-runner to running 5k in five weeks and loved the team spirit of training together. When we finished we were all absolutely buzzing! It’s given us such a sense of camaraderie and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”
The team are already planning to sign up to the 2018 event and hope to raise even more next year.
More information on fundraising in Wales.
