Following the cancellation of the majority of 2020’s sporting events, a keen runner, triathlete and endurance sportsman from Swansea has been finding alternative sources of thrill and exercise to keep him fighting fit ahead of a return to action in 2021.
A passionate fundraiser, 48-year-old Jeff Partridge, from Sketty, Swansea, has been completing in triathlons and endurance sports, including 2019’s Ironman Wales, for the past ten years, raising over £9000 for charity during that time.
Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, Jeff has had to change his focus from 5:30am swims at the Wales National Pool, to open water swimming in Mumbles, dodging the occasional jellyfish, while also turning to other activities, such as paddle boarding.
With the majority of Jeff’s 2020 events cancelled, he’s now looking to 2021 when he hopes to complete the Great Welsh Marathon, the Tenby Tenfoot Swim, as well as Ironman Ireland. Completing the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and 26.2-mile marathon event in Cork will give Jeff the ‘triple crown’, having already completed Ironman UK and Ironman Wales.
By day, Jeff works in insurance, and joined the Swansea branch of Towergate Insurance Brokers in November 2019 as a Commercial Development Executive, where he provides insurance solutions to clients across the South and West Wales region.
Jeff said: “2019 was a year of big life events for me; I sadly lost my Dad to cancer; parted ways with my previous company; and joined Towergate Insurance Brokers, as well as completing Ironman Wales. So, in a strange way, 2020 has given me an opportunity to sit back and take stock.
“I have realised that in the last 10 years I have leaned on triathlon a lot for my own wellbeing. I enjoy the structure that training brings, the social aspect of meeting up at events, and the ‘anything is possible’ attitude of being involved with such events.
“It has been tough in 2020 to see the event cancellation emails roll in, but now I’m really raring to go for 2021!”
