A Kelowna man is heading south of the border to take on his very first Ironman.
While it’s a challenge few people every try, let alone conquer, it’s an even bigger feat for Tyler McClellan.
McClellan, 39, has type 1 diabetes. He was diagnosed when he was 14.
Despite the diagnosis, McClellan remains active and involved in sport. He was an active volunteer for numerous triathlons but in 2012 he decided to take up racing himself.
This past September he made the commitment to tackle his first Ironman. He’s taking part as a member of Riding on Insulin, a team made up of type 1 diabetics and supporters who are raising money for kids fighting the disease. All the money raised will fund sports camps.
McClellan admits the Ironman is his biggest challenge yet.
“It’s a big dream of mine,” said McClellan. “I just want to finish.”
Every training session is different and McClellan won’t know how his body will react until race day but part of his routine is to stop every half hour to test his glucose levels.
His family is his biggest support system and knows just how hard the race will be.
“I thought he was crazy,” laughed his wife Samantha. “But I knew he could do it.”
McClellan is racing on September 11 in Wisconsin. He will be joined by 49 other Riding on Insulin teammates as one of two competitors from Canada.
If you want to support McClellan, you can donate here.
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