There are challenges, and then there’s swimming 3.8km, cycling 180km, and finishing things off with a 42km run. All in one day.

On 13 September, Warwickshire Gin Company founder David Blick will be doing exactly that when he takes on Ironman Wales in Tenby, raising money for breast cancer research in memory of his mum, Maggie, who sadly died from breast cancer earlier this year. It will be David’s sixth Ironman, but this one is going to mean rather more than the others.

∙ BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN ∙

Tenby holds a special place in David’s story for another reason too. It was here, during a visit to Tenby Gin in 2018, that a conversation planted the seed for what would eventually become Warwickshire Gin Company. Inspired by the experience, David made the rather significant decision to leave behind a 28-year career in retail and logistics and embark on an entirely new adventure, launching his own distillery business in Leamington Spa.

Now, eight years after completing his last Ironman, he’ll return to Tenby and, in more ways than one, to where it all began. “A conversation with the team at Tenby Gin all those years ago set me on a path I could never have imagined. Returning now feels like closing a loop, reconnecting with the place that helped shape my journey.”

∙ 140 MILES FOR MAGGIE ∙

David has previously completed Ironman events in Bolton, Mallorca, Lanzarote, and twice in Wales, but this challenge is very different. His mum, Maggie, died on 11 April following a battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer. David is taking on the gruelling event in her memory and to help fund research that could give other families more options, hope, and, importantly, more time together.

David said: “Watching someone you love face something so frightening and uncertain puts everything into perspective. I couldn’t fight her battle for her but I could fight with her, in the best way I know how.”

After months of training, David will begin with a 3.8km sunrise swim, followed by a 180km bike ride and finally a 42km marathon, with all three disciplines needing to be completed within the Ironman Wales 17-hour cut-off. And when things inevitably get tough, he knows exactly who he’ll be thinking about. “There’s no easy way to run, bike, or swim through grief either, but I’m doing this because she deserves to be part of every mile. Because research matters. Because families deserve more time than we got.”

∙ EVERY MILE FOR A REASON ∙

David describes his mum as having faced cancer with the kind of “quiet strength only mums seem to have”. That strength has become a big part of what is driving him through the months of training and will be going with him to the start line in Tenby. “Every hill, every long training day, every moment I want to stop, she’ll be the reason I don’t.”

David is asking anyone who can to support his fundraising, whether that’s by donating, sharing his story, or simply cheering him on as he tackles those rather daunting 140.6 miles.

Support David’s Ironman Wales fundraiser and help raise money for breast cancer research: Donate to David’s fundraiser

∙ FROM AN IDEA IN TENBY TO WARWICKSHIRE GIN ∙

When David isn’t swimming, cycling, running, or putting himself through frankly exhausting challenges, he can usually be found somewhat closer to home at Warwickshire Gin Company. The distillery’s collection takes its inspiration from Warwickshire itself, with handcrafted spirits created around moments, stories, and characters from the county’s history.

There’s plenty to experience at the distillery too, including gin tastings, Cocktails at The Distillery, and Afternoon Gin & Tea, alongside its collection of spirits and gift bundles. The distillery has also earned some impressive recognition from its visitors, climbing to the top spot on Tripadvisor and receiving a Travellers’ Choice Award. And to think, it all started with a conversation in Tenby.

On 13 September, David will be back there, this time with 140.6 miles ahead of him and a very special reason to reach the finish line.