10 Jul 2017
KATE CROSBIE
CHeBA Champion Warren King has continued his outstanding efforts as a fitness ambassador for the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing by competing in two Ironman 70.3km events in two months to raise dementia awareness and funds for research into healthy brain ageing.
Following the Port Macquarie Ironman on May 7, Warren competed in Hawaii on June 3. As well as a desire to protect his own brain health in later life, Warren is inspired by the experience of friends who have been affected by the disease.
“I have two very good friends whose fathers are both suffering with dementia so I really feel the need to help out more,” said Warren.
“Some amazing work is being done in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by CHeBA and I’m happy to keep fundraising to ensure this great work continues.”
Keen to challenge himself, Warren has vowed to compete in a third Ironman in Busselton in December if he can reach his fundraising target of $3,000. To date, he has raised almost $1,500.
The Hawaii event was not without its challenges, however. Half-way through the 45km cycle, Warren discovered his second bottle of nutrition had fallen off his bike in the rough terrain. Despite making it to the final marathon run, a calf injury halted his progress after 6km, although he was able to walk the remaining 15km to complete the event. Despite the setbacks, Warren remains optimistic.
“While my race plan didn't come together, it was still an amazing event and definitely one for other keen triathletes to attempt. The best bit? Well I've got to go and try again next year!”
Warren has been a CHeBA Champion since the inception of the campaign, in which fitness professionals and enthusiasts in their 20s, 30s and 40s promote healthy brain ageing through healthy lifestyles from a young age. With research indicating that physically inactive individuals have an 80% increased risk of dementia, the Champions are providing much-needed advocacy for incorporating more routine physical activity in daily life. They raise funds for The Dementia Momentum®, a movement to bring researchers and the corporate and philanthropic community together to change the future of dementia incidence.
Get behind this dedicated CHeBA Champion and sponsor him here.
