Adrian Lewis (RPS 2014-21)
Alumnus to race Ironman for North Wales hospice
Former Rydal Penrhos pupil Adrian Lewis (RPS 2014-21) has embarked on a remarkable journey to honour the memory of his beloved Naini, Jenifer.
The Lewis family, including grandparents Jen and Phil, have been an integral part of the Rydal Penrhos community, attending various school events and enthusiastically cheering on their grandchildren, Adrian and his younger sister Jasmin (RPS 2016-23).
Earlier this year, Jen lost her battle with cancer, leaving a void in the hearts of her family and the wider Rydal Penrhos community. During her challenging times, Jen was provided exceptional support by the caregivers at St Kentigern Hospice, and now Adrian would like to give back by raising money for their remarkable work.
St Kentigern Hospice provides vital care and support to individuals battling life-limiting illnesses. It is a place of solace and comfort for countless families during their most trying moments. The Hospice has a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities and services, including inpatient care, day-care, outpatient clinic, community support, bereavement support, and complementary therapies, all offered free-of-charge to patients and their families.
The cost of maintaining this essential facility is considerable; £604 per patient per night, or £7252.37 a day for the whole hospice. St Kentigern’s is mostly reliant on donations and charitable contributions, and this is where Adrian's journey comes into play.
Adrian has set himself the goal of completing the Ironman Copenhagen on 18 August 2024. This ultra-endurance triathlon event consists of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike ride, and a full marathon 26.2-mile (42.20 km) run, all to be completed in a single day. It is renowned for its extreme difficulty, pushing athletes to their physical and mental limits, making it one of the most challenging endurance disciplines in the world.
When Adrian lines up at the start line in the Danish capital, it will not only be an immense personal achievement but a wonderful tribute to Jen’s memory. Adrian will also be flying the flag for the Rydal Penrhos community, wearing the famous Rydal Penrhos crest on his kit as he races past iconic landmarks such as the Opera House, Amalienborg Palace, Nyhavn, and the beloved Little Mermaid statue.
If you would like to show your support, then you can give to Adrian’s St Kentigern Hospice fundraiser via JustGiving. Adrian has received support from notable sponsors, including Warwick University Sport, PeakGains and Two Bare Feet, who are assisting Adrian’s training. However, additional sponsors are always welcome, particularly those who might be able to help in terms of a TT bike, travel, and other equipment.
Adrian's journey towards the Ironman Copenhagen 2024 has started strongly. On Sunday 1 October, he completed the Rugby Half-Marathon with an impressive time of 1:44:29. It was Adrian’s first time competing over this distance, marking an important milestone in his training.
More recently, on Saturday 28 October, Adrian took another step along his journey to Copenhagen as he completed a half-Ironman in just over six hours, and this only a day after competing in a weightlifting competition at Gymshark HQ, the home of one of the UK's most exciting and innovative sports brands.
Throughout this gruelling challenge, he had the invaluable support of Will Mason, a well-respected triathlete, who stayed by Adrian's side to motivate him and ensure he reached the finish line. Adrian's friends also played a pivotal role, cheering him on towards the finish line.
Adrian’s next stop on the road to Denmark was closer to home; on Sunday 19 November, the Class of 2021 member participated in the Conwy Half Marathon, voted one of the top five most scenic Half Marathons in the UK by the readers of Runners World. Adrian was running alongside many other members of our Rydal Penrhos community, including race winner Morgan Kendall and Geography and Maths teacher Dr Jim Lewis.
Please click here to give to Adrian’s fundraising campaign in support of St Kentigern Hospice.
Alternatively, for those interested in going one step further and sponsoring Adrian’s campaign, please contact alumni@rydalpenrhos.com for more information.
We would encourage you to please back this important campaign. Your donation, big or small, will not only show your support for a member of our alumni community, but will also directly impact patients, their families and those superb caregivers who provide expert care to those most in need.
Rydal Penrhos wishes Adrian the very best as he continues his training. We will keep everyone posted on his progress as Ironman Copenhagen 2024 approaches!
