IDNS Ironman aims to beat record for charity

Shuttleworth training hard for final UK Ironman

Audiovisual and IT reseller IDN Supplies' operations director, Dave Shuttleworth, is having one last go at the Ironman Championship in Bolton this year to help Derian House Children's Hospice.

"This is 100 per cent my last one," he said. "On 22 July 2012 I shall be competing for the third and final time in the UK Ironman race. I aim to beat my best time of 13 hours, 57 minutes and 51 seconds."

Shuttleworth (pictured, at the end of the 2011 Ironman, coming through the posts and with his wife Vicky) said he is racing on behalf of the Rotary Club to raise funds for the local hospice. Donations can be made on his page at JustGiving.

"I have been putting the training hours and miles in all year; please do not feel obliged to donate but anything you do give will be gratefully received," he said. "I am 44 now and really need more sleep instead of more long-distance training at 5.30am Saturday and Sunday mornings. I could also do without swimming training in cold reservoirs and Salford Docks!"

The race is a triathlon comprising a 2.4-mile open-water swim, a 112-mile cycle section and a 26.4-mile marathon run. More details are at www.ironmanuk.com/ironman-uk/home.

Shuttleworth has competed in this event twice before - in 2010 when he finished 938th out of 1,500, and in 2011 when he was 843rd of 1,500.

"Which, considering my age, I am very proud of. However, this year, gotta do better! The event attracts entrants from all over the world and is part of the world series qualifying events for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii," he told ChannelWeb.