Diabetic And Lovin IT / News Articles / The Sunderland Echo, Thur, Oct 20, 2005

The Sunderland Echo

Thursday, Oct 20, 2005

By Simon Marks

Hot stuff in Hawaii Triathletes beat scorching weather A young athlete has told how he battled his diabetes to compete in one of the world's most grueling challenges in soaring temperatures. Gary Blakie and his dad Eric are now back home in Weardale Avenue, South Bents, after spending two weeks in Hawaii competing in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships. They had to swim, cycle and run in scorching conditions on the Pacific island to represent Great Britain.

Although neither won his category, Gary says the thrill of taking part in an international competition in a spectacular setting has inspired him.

Gary, 21, a former Monkwearmouth School pupil, completed a business management degree in the summer.

He was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 12. But that has not stopped him following Eric, 52, into triathlons - a discipline that requires competitors to complete almost a mile of swimming, 25 miles of cycling and 6.2 miles of running in one day.

In Hawaii, Gary finished 73rd out of 92 competitors and says conditions were tough.

"It was absolutely scorching - which was not too bad for the swimming, which was on the beach front, or the cycling, where you got a bit of wind in your face."

"But it was like running in a sauna."

"Despite that, I'd have liked to run a bit longer - I was enjoying myself that much. I could have run all day."

"Just the fact that I was representing Great Britain made it really special."

While Gary took part in the 20-24 age group contest, Eric, a former managing director with Domnick Hunter in Gateshead, took part in the 50 to 55-year-old category. As well as the World Triathlon Age Group Championships, Eric and Gary also took part in the World Aquathlon Championships a few days previous, which is similar to a triathlon but with the bike ride replaced by a second run.

To compete the family affair, gary's older brother Alan, 22, took time out of his masters studies at Stirling University to fly to Hawaii - and was promptly entered for the aquathlon too, finishing in an impressive 173rd out of 275.