A man with brain damage has been ranked number one in the UK’s physically challenged Ironman.
Marc Clough from Tonge Moor is now in training for the Ironman Championship in Nice after ranking number one in the UK in the physically challenged group.
The athlete has had brain damage since suffering a haemorrhage in 2014 but has had a brain AVM since birth, which causes muscle weakness, speaking difficulties and migraines.
A brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangle of blood vessels that connects arteries and veins in the brain.
Marc took part in the Bolton Ironman as part of training for Nice but heavy winds forced him to quit after the cycling as he could not risk falling off.
He said: “It is always great to take part and Nice will be my tenth one.
“I am up to three and a half hours in cycling at the gym, because the wind can knock me around and I lose my balance.
“I don’t want to break anything because my dream will be over then.”
Marc took part in four Ironman challenges last year including the Bolton one, with 200 people in the physically challenged group.
“I am feeling good about the upcoming one, it’s a dream I have had for some time.
“I have sponsors from the community in Bolton because it costs £3000.
“I was always in first place for the physically challenged and collected a lot of points.”
Marc is still in touch with his brain surgeon and wants to show people that anything is possible.
He said: “It just shows you can do almost anything, and my brain damage has not stopped me.
“There was a time where I could not even speak a word but now, I can talk again.”
Marc is also being supported by Bolton’s WHYSUP organisation, who helped Marc to cope mentally with his brain damage.
Superior Cycles are also sponsors of Marc, and co-owner James Moller said: "It is a great honour to help a Bolton man fulfil and push his dream to get him to Nice, Marc has been training harder than ever to the up-and-coming event.
“Our head bike tech Dan has been at his beck and call to make sure his bicycle is dialled in ready for his next training session.”
Marc would love to have more support on his challenge and has space on his race suit for more businesses to come on board.
Donations can also be made here. (https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/superior-cycles?)
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