3 March 2010
Thales team takes on world’s toughest ironman challenge
A three-strong team of Thales UK employees will attempt one of the world’s hardest
endurance races in May in order to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The intrepid trio will attempt to complete
the Ironman Lanzarote international
event on 22 May, hoping to overcome
searing temperatures, strong winds and
a notoriously difficult mountainous
circuit.
The team is drawn from two of Thales
UK’s sites in the south-west, consisting
of Steve Green (Templecombe), and Jo
Plumbley and Mervyn Williams (both
Bristol).
The race has been described as the toughest full ironman event in the world due to
temperatures that can reach 90ºF and the terrain. Around 1,500 competitors will have
to swim nearly two-and-a-half miles in choppy seas, before completing a 112-mile
bike course, during which they will climb a total of 9,000ft.
Participants will then complete a full marathon, running more than 26 miles to the
finishing line in the strong winds of the Canary Islands. Not surprisingly, the race’s
motto is ‘Normal limits do not apply’.
Thankfully the three are experienced endurance athletes. Steve has completed
numerous ironman events in the UK and the USA; Jo has completed a series of
national and international marathons; and Mervyn has been competing in triathlons
since 1988. Steve and Jo were also part of a Thales team that completed a UK
triathlon last year on Exmoor.
“Lanzarote is viewed as one of the hardest Ironman events because of the
combination of heat, wind and terrain,” says Steve. “While it’s a challenge for all three
of us, there is also the opportunity to qualify for the world championships in Hawaii
and of course, raise money for a very worthwhile cause.”
Marie Curie Cancer Care is Thales UK’s main corporate charities. The charity provides Marie Curie Nurses who care for terminally ill people in their own homes,
surrounded by the people they love the most. Thales UK has set itself an ambitious
target of raising more than £500,000 for this worthy cause across a five-year period,
and staff in each of the 40 offices will all run different events in order to contribute.
Every £20 raised will help Marie Curie Cancer Care fund one hour of nursing care in
the home, allowing patients to be with their families during their last days.
"Marie Curie Cancer Care is an outstanding charity and we’re proud to be supporting
them. Their dedication and care of terminally ill cancer patients is second to none,”
says Victor Chavez, Deputy Chief Executive of Thales UK.
- Ends -
About Thales and Thales UK
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace and Space, Defence, Security
and Transportation markets. In 2009 the company generated revenues of £11.5
billion (12.9 billion euros) with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000
engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and
deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security
requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations
around the world working with customers as local partners.
Thales UK employs 8,500 staff based at 40 locations. In 2009 Thales UK's revenues
were around £1.5 billion.
Press contacts:
Thales UK
Kathryn Bell
Mob: +44 7813 903274
Email: [email protected]
Adrian Rondel
Mob: +44 7971 414052
Email: [email protected]
www.thalesgroup.com/uk