Hi, I'm Andrew. 

I'm a follower of Jesus that also loves the outdoors, fitness and a challenge. I've always pushed myself to improve and try harder things through multipitch traditional rock climbing, white water kayaking, multiday sea kayaking expeditions, and multiday back country alpine expeditions. 

I'm fairly new to triathlons but from my very first triathlon in early 2021, I was hooked. I've become addicted to long distance running, cycling, and swimming because it has helped me find mental focus, joy in the present moment and a time of no distractions. So when I had heard about the full distance Ironman Triathlons, I was captivated by the challenge. 

A full distance Ironman Triathlon is a 3.8km swim followed by a 180km cycle then finishing with a full 42.2km marathon run. It's not for the faint hearted and seems borderline crazy. I have never done any of these distances in a single activity let alone back to back, and to be honest I haven't even done a half distance Ironman Triathlon. Maybe I am crazy for registering to do this!

But what's the point of all that self inflected pain and suffering just for the superficial bragging rights of being an Ironman. For me it needed to have a bigger purpose. The people that I'm raising money to help are doing it tough their day in and day out, not just for 15 hours of one day. That's why I decided to do an Ironman Triathlon, to raise money to support the people that ADRA helps.

ADRA does great work in disaster relief and community development all over the world in an ethical, just, accountable, and transparent way. For more information about ADRA read their bio below.

I am aiming to raise a minimum of $5650. That's $25 for every one of the 226 kilometers that I will swim, cycle, run, sweat and push myself through in 15 continuous, torturous hours. Every dollar we raise will mean the world to the people that ADRA will help give a better quality of life to and if we can raise more than that, it will be even better.

If you want to follow my progress in the lead up to this event you click the link below to Strava. And if I can find a way for you to follow me live during the triathlon on 7/5/2023 I'll post links to that here when we get closer to the event.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/76059675

The Ironman Triathlon I am doing is Ironman Australia held in Port Macquarie. For more information on this event, click on this link. https://www.ironman.com/im-australia

And yes, donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Thank you for supporting the people that ADRA will help and me as I push myself to my limits.

Andrew Thompson