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Midlands Triathlete goes from zero to hero at the World Championship 70.3 Ironman finals
A once self-confessed ‘party boy', with many a bad habit, has found a new lease of life in the most unlikely place - Triathlons. On Sunday, Sutton Coldfield triathlete Ian Dempsey finished in the top 5% at the World Championship 70.3 Ironman finals held in Zell am See, Austria. Dempsey who's 34 competed against more than 1800 of the top ranked triathletes from around the world and finished 3rd against other rival GB racers in his age group, 34th overall.
Sunday's World Championship finals market the first time that the World Championship race had taken place on European soil. Dempsey Said "I'm thrilled to have been ranked in the top 5% of athletes, and to be where I am right now. I was up against more than 1,800 athletes from across the globe, all hungry for the prize - but after a lot of hard work and dedication, I did it! I have come a long way in the last five years and I am just getting started."
Dempsey was once a competitive swimmer in his early years, but the temptations that life throws at a young adult took over his life. At the age of 30, and after many years of undoing all of his hard work as a youngster, Dempsey decided it was time to get his life back on track. Running became Dempsey's new addiction. "Running seemed like the best idea - it was cheap, accessible, and easy to get started and I could do it anywhere, at any time" Dempsey said. In 24 months, after taking the sport up, he had ran the Wolverhampton Half Marathon, Birmingham Half Marathon, Stratford-Upon-Avon Marathon and the London Marathon. Dempsey's passion for Triathlon was born after a friend encouraged him to take part in the ICAN Marbella Half Triathlon 2012 - a gruelling 1900m sea swim, 90k Mountain terrain bike course and a sweltering 21k Half Marathon. He finished in 6 hours and was instantly hooked.
After a string of successful Triathlon races, Dempsey stole the show at Ironman 70.3 in Staffordshire earlier this year, finishing 1st in his age group. Winning the Staffordshire race meant that Dempsey qualified for the prestigious World Championship 70.3 Ironman finals. More than 130,000 athletes participated in a season of qualifying races for the World Championship finals, a series which consists of over 85 events in locations such as Australia, Germany, South Africa and Switzerland - qualifying for the race was a victory for Dempsey in itself.
Aston Knowles have sponsored the triathlete since the foundation of their high-end boutique estate agency began in January 2014. Sophie Bullock, Director said, "We're really proud to support Ian. His dedication to training and commitment to the sport is inspirational, much like his passion to follow his dreams. We were delighted to hear of his 3rd GB age group finish at the World Championship Triathlon, and are very excited to follow his journey to the next level".
The rise of the triathlon has been well documented with 2012 British Champions Alistair and Johnathan Bownlee winning Gold and Bronze medals. The therapeutic, psychological effects of running and exercise are also well documented, with incredible benefits such as natural energy highs, a better social life, sense of achievement and focus in life and self-gratification being proven - it isn't a bad addiction to have. Ian Dempsey is certainly reaping the benefits.
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Notes to Editors:
Ironman's championship race was held on August 30th 2015 in Austria, and marks the first time that the Ironman 70.3 World Championship was held in Europe.
Unique to the 2015 World Championship weekend, IRONMAN hosted two races. The first race on Saturday, August 29, 2015 was the fourth IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun triathlon. The following day, more than 1800 elite athletes from around the world who earned their chance to compete tackled the very same course to become 2015 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champions.
For further information, images and quotes please contact Rebecca Underwood at PReach PR on becca@preachpr.co.uk or call 07817 553 299.