MOUNT Gambier’s David Chant will face the ultimate challenge when he jets to Hawaii to compete in the Ironman World Championship in Kona next week.
Chant was one of 2300 athletes from all over the world who gained selection in the race scheduled for Saturday, October 14.
After completing 13 ironman races in Port Macquarie, Cairns, Melbourne, Busselton, New Zealand and Utah in the USA, Chant qualified for the world-class event.
To qualify an tri-athlete must complete 10 ironman events in a row, or achieve a high ranking in their age group.
The world-wide race starts with a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km cycle through the lava fields of Kona and ends in a 42.2km run.
Training through the wintry weather in the South East has been a challenge, but Chant’s desire to cross the finish line in Hawaii has pushed him to excel.
Chant trains between 15 to 20 hours each week.
“I run about four to five times a week for around 50 to 70km,” he said.
“I cycle four to five times a week for around 250 to 350km and swim two to three times a week for around 10km.
“I have a great group of friends in the Mount Gambier Triathlon Club who are more than happy to join me during my long hours of training.”
While completing the gruelling ironman is a challenge in itself, Chant has set goals.
He said he hoped to finish the course in less than 11 hours.
With cycling his strongest leg of the race, it will be crucial Chant makes the most of his time on the bike prior to completing a full marathon to the finish line.
No stranger to the mental and physical strength it takes to get across the line, Chant said he looked for a new challenge after retiring from football.
“I ran a few marathons and had some friends doing triathlons so I decided to give it a go,” he said.
“It has always been a goal of mine to make it to Kona.
“I remember watching the Hawaii Ironman on television when I was younger and thought how amazing it would be to give it a go.”
Chant said despite completing a number of ironman races, the recovery is never easy.
“It is extremely tough on your body,” he said.
“It takes a good two to three months to fully recover from an ironman.
“I am extremely lucky to have a wonderful wife and children who support me in everything I do.
“I am a member of the Mount Gambier Triathlon Club so I always have someone to train with or talk to about triathlon related matters.”
He said while he looks forward to the challenge, the most difficult part is to put in the years of training to get to the start line.
“It has been hard to train for this race as it is held in the northern hemisphere and it is held at the end of their summer to make it easier for people in the northern hemisphere to train for,” he said.
“Also working as an accountant at Galpins it is our busy time of year.”
After years of tough training and gruelling races, Chant will now set his sites on his ultimate goal surrounded by those who support him most.
“I have around 20 family and friends coming over to watch the race and support me on the day,” he said.
“I am tremendously grateful for that.”
