A FORMER Welsh international rugby player has signed up to take part in a new Caderman Mountain Triathlon to raise funds for blood cancer charity Bloodwise.

Following his retirement from rugby, Ian Gough regularly takes part in new and interesting challenges having completed The Long Course and the Wales Ironman.

This event adds a whole new level in the form of the 70.3 mile half-ironman distance culminating in a run to the summit of Cader Idris.

The event was set up by Tywyn Bloodwise supporter, Geraint Rowlands.

He said: “I was born and bred in Tywyn and I was forever in the sea, running the Dysynni trails or off into the mountains looking for adventure.

“The idea was always in the back of my mind to attempt a triathlon from the sea in Tywyn to the peak of Cader Idris, from sea to summit.

“In August 1996, at the age of 15, I was in Bronglais Hospital after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

“It seriously changed my life from that moment on.

“Fortunately, I overcame my battle with blood cancer, and have been lucky to take on far more adventures to raise money for Bloodwise.

“I’ve always thought the event had great potential, but I’ve not been able to grow it myself due to work and family commitments.

“We now have the sprint and extreme distance, and it’s fantastic that Ian Gough is already signed up and encouraging other rugby players and friends to take part in the challenge.

“Not only will they be able to take part in a completely different type of triathlon, but they’ll also be raising much needed funds for blood cancer patients.“

Caderman has two distance options, the traditional sprint distance of a 600-metre swim, 37-kilometre cycle, five-kilometre uphill run and the extreme half-ironman distance of 1,900-metre swim, 90.5-kilometre cycle, and 13.1-mile uphill run.

Readers are encouraged to join the Bloodwise triathlon team and be part of a community of thousands taking on challenges all around the country, for one common goal of beating blood cancer.

Every stride you take, and every penny you raise, will help stop people dying, make patients’ lives better and stop people from getting blood cancer in the first place.

To find out more or to sign up today visit www.bloodwise.org.uk/caderman