Triathlete to take on cycle challenge in father's memory

A Kenilworth triathlete and mother-of-two who competed for Team GB is taking on a 100-mile cycle challenge to raise funds in memory of her father.
Rowena Cole, Team GB athlete and marketing assistant at the Coventry Sports Foundation, with Sally BoonRowena Cole, Team GB athlete and marketing assistant at the Coventry Sports Foundation, with Sally Boon
Rowena Cole, Team GB athlete and marketing assistant at the Coventry Sports Foundation, with Sally Boon

Sally Boon has been inspired to tackle the Prudential London to Surrey bike ride on Sunday July 31 following the loss of her father, David Olorenshaw, to colon cancer in January.

The challenge, which she aims to complete in around six hours, will see her pedal in aid of Cancer Research UK as part of her mission to raise £1,000 for the charity.

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It will be made even tougher after the arrival of her second son, Oliver, in November last year. His birth meant Sally had to start her training from scratch and juggle her time between cycling and parenting.

However, she is no stranger to challenges. Sally competed in the Sprint Triathlon World Championships in 2014, although she rarely cycled more than 35 miles at a time to train for it.

Sally said: “The furthest I had ever cycled before training was 60 miles - and this ride will be almost double the distance so definitely one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever taken on.

“I was inspired to take it on after losing my father to colon cancer earlier this year. It’s a cruel disease so I wanted to do something to help research into even better treatment and hopefully a cure.”

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Her maternity leave and the support of her family with childcare has given her time to train four to five times a week, which she divides between the open road and the Xcel Leisure Centre in Coventry, managed by the Coventry Sports Foundation. She has been a member there for around three years.

Sally added: “The Foundation has always been a great help in terms of helping me to train for triathlons.”

Rowena Cole, marketing assistant at Coventry Sports Foundation and an athlete who ran the 800 metres as part of Team GB at the British Athletics Championships in June, said: “As a sporting charity, the foundation is always pleased to hear of anyone pushing their fitness in aid of good causes.

“When Sally told us about her cycle challenge we were keen to show our support.

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“Having known Sally for a number of years through running with her at Coventry Godiva Harriers as well as at the leisure centre, I know that we both take our fitness seriously – so I’m confident she’ll finish the challenge within her target time, and the foundation wishes her the best of luck.”

Anyone wishing to donate to support Sally’s effort should visit justgiving.com/fundraising/sally-boon