Home / Lifestyle / Widower Tackles Ironman, Still Learning to Swim
Widower Tackles Ironman, Still Learning to Swim
20 Apr
Summary
- A widower is competing in an Ironman triathlon after his wife's death.
- He is raising funds for a brain tumour charity, supporting research.
- Johnstone is still learning to swim for the 2.4-mile open-water challenge.
Alan Johnstone is preparing for the gruelling Austrian Ironman competition, a challenge he faces even as he learns to swim. This immense feat is in memory of his wife, Anneka, who passed away in November 2019, just six months after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour at age 33.
Their daughter, Sienna, was only 13 months old when Anneka died. Anneka, a fit and healthy NHS dietitian, experienced a rapid decline, moving from initial balance issues to being wheelchair-bound within a month of her diagnosis. Johnstone aims to raise £100,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity, an organization dedicated to improving research and treatments for brain tumours, which are a leading cause of cancer death in young people.
Johnstone, a former RAF engineer and current NHS clinical engineer, has previously completed the London and Boston marathons, raising significant funds. He acknowledges that the 2.4-mile open-water swim presents his most daunting challenge, as he has never had formal swimming lessons. Despite the difficulties, he is inspired by his daughter and his late wife's strength, aiming to contribute to a future where such devastating diagnoses have better outcomes.
He selected the Austrian Ironman in June 2027, viewing its marathon leg as less hilly than other European races. However, the lake swim may prove trickier due to freshwater's lower buoyancy compared to saltwater. His training videos have garnered over 10 million views online, highlighting the public's engagement with his inspirational journey.
