Chris Maxwell, 49-years-old, will be competing in not one but two gruelling endurance events this year to remember his mum who died after a long journey with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.
The Ironman World Championship event is set to take place on 8 October 2022 in Hawaii, where Chris will compete in the pinnacle of triathlon sporting events, battling it out with the world’s top triathlon athletes.
In addition to taking on the Ironman, Chris completed the Grand Union Canal Ultra race in June – a continuous 145-mile run from Birmingham to London, coming in at an impressive time of 30 hours.
The Ironman World Championship consists of a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile cycle and a 26.2-mile run, all in the Hawaiian heat, and will be Chris’ most challenging sporting event to date.
Chris was inspired to take on this event by the strength and determination of his mum, who lived with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD). He hopes that by taking on these fundraisers, he can help MDUK continue supporting and researching new treatments for people living with muscular dystrophy.
“Whenever I take part in these types of events, I always draw on memories of my mum who passed away 11 years ago. She showed me true determination and I want to continue to remember her by raising funds to help others,” shared Chris.
LGMD runs in his mum’s family, with two of his aunties also having had the condition.
“I always remember the day-to-day challenges my mum faced, and the pain her condition caused. She would have frequent falls before she decided to use a wheelchair,” said Chris.
“MDUK were fantastic during this difficult time. They put her in touch with support groups and helped her come to terms with living with a muscle-wasting condition. I hope my fundraising helps the charity continue with their vital work, and I hope it helps fund research into much-needed treatments.”
MDUK is now a charity close to Chris’s heart. “It’s an important charity to me and my family. I saw how muscular dystrophy affected the life of my mum and her sisters, and how their independence was limited because of it. The charity supported my family through local support groups, and the scientific research they fund is so important.”
Julia Smith, Regional Development Senior Manager at MDUK said: “Chris is taking on an extraordinary challenge, and we are honoured that he has chosen to fundraise for us during the extremely prestigious Ironman World Championship. We wish him the best of luck as he prepares for this impressive event, and we will be cheering him on every step of the way.”
To support Chris and his incredible fundraising efforts, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-maxwell8