I am Hope

One of our team, Keegan Mitchell, was all set to complete an Ironman 70.3 in March (a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and a 21.1km run). He was tackling this challenge in support of fundraising for I Am Hope – the charity founded by Mike King that provides free counselling sessions to youth, addressing NZ’s youth suicide numbers.

Unfortunately, after already being postponed in late 2021, the Ironman 70.3 event was ultimately cancelled in March 2022. It would take more than a global pandemic to slow Keegan down though – he did it anyway! Completing his swim in Lake Tikitapu, then riding around Lake Rotorua and into Rotorua’s Government Gardens, finishing with his half marathon run lapping it out to Ngongotaha and back.

A few of the DCA team were on hand to welcome him out of the swim leg, while Chan, our resident bike racer, kept Keegan company on the long cycle leg. Nandia, DCA’s multi-disciplined action woman, rode with Keegan on his run. He may have been the only competitor out there, but he had a team behind him, and alongside him.

His ‘race’ may be over, and he raised over $6,000 of his $10,000 target – but you can still support Keegan’s effort at his givealittle page
100% of donations go to the I Am Hope organisation. For more information about the work that the charity does check out their web page here