BEING able to see his dad when he crosses the finish line will be the best part of the Sun Smart Busselton Ironman for Jeremy Hanrahan.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Hanrahan’s father has been suffering with cancer for the last five years and in an honour of support Hanrahan is competing with the Smiling for Smiddy foundation.
Smiling for Smiddy is a foundation which raises money and awareness for cancer, in particular skin cancer.
Hanrahan said competing with the foundation was his way of helping his dad.
“At 80 years old its hard to see him go through this,” he said.
However, Hanrahan has his own story to tell with a near death experience.
In 2012, while going for a regular mountain bike ride in Queensland he was thrown from the bike and knocked unconscious.
After waking up 30 minutes later Hanrahan was able to phone for help and he was taken to hospital.
It turned out Hanrahan had broken his neck, pelvis, tail bone, ribs, punctured his right lung and liver.
While recovering his physiotherapists were astounded he had survived a neck break.
Hanrahan had to learn how to walk as well as other things which we take for granted in every day life.
“To have such an active life and then suddenly not be able to do anything was really confronting,” he said.
Hanrahan has gotten back on the bike, literally and plans to take on his first ever full Ironman.
The Ironman distance starts with a 3.9 kilometre swim, 180km ride and a 42km run.
“I’m hoping I can finish in daylight – it will be a huge milestone for me,” he said.
“I have been given a second chance at life.”
Hanrahan is still trying to reach his fundraising target of $2500.
You can help him and the Smiling for Smiddy foundation here https://sunsmartironman-wa-2014.everydayhero.com/au/jeremy