Disabled athlete keen to tackle River Mile title defence
NELSON Mandela Bay disabled triathlete Charl Parkin will be looking to defend his title when he tackles The River Mile at the weekend.
Parkin aims to put on a good showing at the race after returning with a respectable second-place finish at the Midmar Mile held in KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend.
“This was my seventh attempt at the race, and a podium finish has always eluded me, so to finally achieve the podium was a great feeling,” Parkin said yesterday.
The disabled category, which is combined with the Ironman/woman one, saw a field of more than 500 swimmers tackle the race across both stages on the Midmar Dam.
Parkin, who suffers from Motor Neuron Disease, the same disease that claimed the life of legendary Springbok flyhalf Joost van der Westhuizen, has managed to control the disease, despite being given only three years to live.
“I am starting my 11th year since I was first diagnosed.
“The first two years were very tough, I couldn’t drive my own car, I lost a lot of muscle, I couldn’t walk or eat properly – and that’s why I am classified in the disabled category, because my muscles are not working properly any more,” he said.
He said swimming was his saving grace, as it had assisted him in rebuilding some muscle strength.
He also consulted with renowned dietician and author Dr Tim Noakes, while adjusting his diet to meet the needs of his body.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s race, Parkin aims to complete a second win in a row at the event in the disabled category. He will also be looking ahead to next month, when he competes at the South African triathlon championships, making his first appearance in the Eastern Province squad.
Furthermore, he will also be competing at the SA swimming championships in April.
“Hopefully I can claim a win in the disabled category, and that will put me in good stead for the rest of the year.”