On 22 June, seven years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 48, Gary Shaughnessy set out to complete a triathlon that has only ever been finished by 46 people.
At one minute past midnight, he took on what is known as the world’s hardest triathlon – a 290-mile run, row and cycle challenge.
He started with an 83-mile run from London’ Marble Arch headed for Dover, where he jumped into a boat and rowed 21 miles to France. From Calais, it is a 186-mile cycle to Paris where he expects to reach the Arc de Triomphe around 3pm on Saturday 25 June.
It would make him the 47th person to complete the Arch to Arc challenge and the first with Parkinson’s.
Before setting off, Shaughnessy said: “I needed to find something bigger and better this year, and someone suggested Arch to Arc. I partially do it to keep myself fit and exercising makes a real difference.
“But partially I want to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s, particularly awareness because a lot of people assume being diagnosed is the end of your life.”
“In my experience – although there are a lot of things that aren’t good about Parkinson’s – I’ve been very lucky. I’ve had seven-and-a-half years of meeting inspirational people and learning a lot about myself.”
Shaughnessy added: “That’s the whole message. Just because you have Parkinson’s it doesn’t stop you living your life and getting on with things.”
Finding a cure
Shaughnessy was diagnosed in 2015 when he was working at Zurich. He stepped down as chief executive for Zurich Emea in October 2018, having joined the insurer as chief executive of its UK life arm in 2012.
He remains chair of Z Zurich Foundation, its Swiss-based charitable foundation which seeks to tackle climate change, improve mental wellbeing and enable social equity.
He is also chair of Parkinson’s UK and England Athletics and is taking on the Arch to Arc challenge to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s UK, so research can be carried out and a cure can be found.
Zurich has pledged to match the first £25,000 ($31,340, €29,300) raised. Ahead of setting off, he had raised £20,000.
What is Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is now the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with 145,000 people in the UK living with the disease. Every hour, two more people in the UK are diagnosed. There is currently no cure.
Parkinson’s is what happens when the brain cells that make dopamine start to die. It is a progressive condition. There are more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to insomnia and anxiety. Some are treatable, but the drugs can have serious side effects.
Anyone wishing to support Gary’s incredible challenge, can donate via this link: https://www.garyschallenges.com/donate
