Richard Stabler bids for Iron Man glory in Hawaii

May 20 2009 by Michael Bowers, The Journal

TYNESIDER Richard Stabler is to bid for world glory in the gruelling Iron Man triathlon.

The 28-year-old Newcastle-born athlete booked his place in October’s world championships in Hawaii by setting a personal-best time of nine hours and 45 minutes in qualifying in South Africa, finishing 24th in a field of 1,600.

The Iron Man race consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and, to finish off, a marathon and is a far harder proposition than the standard triathlon event, which normally includes a 1,500m swim and 40km bike ride, followed by a 10km run.

Stabler hails from Newcastle, but now lives and works in London for a photographic agency.

“I was born and raised in Fenham and I return to Newcastle from London when given the opportunity, particularly to take part in the Great North Run,” he said.

He took up triathlon five years ago and was previously trained by former Morpeth resident and Olympic long distance runner Jim Alder.

Stabler continues his preparations for October’s big event by travelling to Switzerland for the penultimate competition in the sport’s calendar before the world championships.

“I started racing five years ago and, the more you do, the more your body becomes conditioned to dealing with the challenge,” he added.