Twice-round-the-world triathlon: Durham alumni remember fellow students

Date: June 2024

View snapshots of participating alumni | See which alumni took part

Most people start a new year with resolutions to live more healthily, complete long-term projects, or make other positive changes to their lives. Participating in a twice-round-the-world triathlon isn’t usually on most people’s list.

In January 2023, alumnus Tom Hughes (Psychology, St Aidan’s College, 1998-2001), together with 42 others from around the world, of which 33 are Durham alumni, decided to embark on exactly that journey. With a target of cycling, running or swimming 80,150km (the equivalent distance of twice round the world, or 1,541km each week) by the end of 2023, the participants had their work cut out for them.

In memory

The twice-round-the-world triathlon was launched as a vehicle to remember two Durham alumni, Lieutenant Richard Palmer (Combined Social Sciences, College of St Hild & St Bede, 1998-2003), and Flight Lieutenant David Sale (Engineering, St Aidan’s College, 1997-2001).

Whilst at Durham, Richard (known as ‘Briggs’) and David (‘Jacko’) were both involved in the University Hockey Club, where they crossed paths and were friends with a great number of the participants of the triathlon. Upon graduating, both Richard and David headed on to military careers in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Royal Air Force respectively. In 2006 Richard died following a roadside bomb attack in Southern Iraq. A year later, David passed away in a helicopter accident in Catterick, North Yorkshire. They are both greatly missed and since 2008, various groups of friends, family and alumni have come together to complete sporting challenges to hold them close in their memories.

The twice-round-the-world triathlon was an extension of previous initiatives, and Tom adds: “the triathlon was something that could be fitted into our lives a bit more easily. It’s connected us around the world, with two of us in New Zealand, two in Uganda, four in North America, two in the UAE and other countries besides.”

United by Durham sport and colleges

The twice-round-the-world triathlon had a goal to fundraise for two charities that are important to Richard and David’s families – ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, and the RAF Benevolent Fund. Donations are still welcomed, and Tom is delighted that the £5,000 raised has far surpassed the original target set. Of the 33 Durham alumni, 28 knew each other by having participated in sport at Durham - mostly hockey, but also lacrosse. Other alumni were drawn into the challenge through college friendships. The remainder of the participants consisted of David and Richard’s family members, school or Royal Air Force colleagues.

For Tom, the connections he formed through his college and sporting experiences, combined with those from his academic studies make for positive memories: “My enduring recollections of Durham are the happy balance of involvement in the University sports team, my college and my degree; three complementary, yet different, environments. And our friendships have endured.”

From ultra marathons to weekly walks and everything in between

With a roster of international participants, the twice-round-the-world triathlon has needed to navigate numerous barriers, including time zones, varying methods of communication, and motivation.

Tom explains how it all worked: “We set ourselves weekly targets at the start of the year (for one, two or three of the usual triathlon disciplines – running, cycling or swimming) and then sought to achieve them every week. Any intentional exercise that was completed primarily with health or fitness in mind was permitted. We submitted a google form each week to log what we'd completed. 

“We’ve had some remarkable contributions over the course of the year, with our most prolific team members in each discipline contributing 9,350km (on the bike), 4,224km (running), and 90km (in the pool). One completed the highly competitive ultra marathon Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc (UTMB), and another tackled the notorious 70 mile Wall Ultra Marathon. Various marathons were also undertaken. But the story has also been one of consistency over intensity, and we equally valued those that achieved their targets, however big or small, every week of the year. 

“On two occasions we permitted 'friends and family' to join in (as long as they exercised along with the participant), so we had some pretty cool examples of the challenge mobilising whole families to get out and about, in a lot of snow, rain and wind!” 

An international collective effort

With one week remaining in 2023, the group were 2,500km short of reaching their target. Thanks to a last-ditch effort between Christmas and the New Year, and with 10 hours remaining on the clock, Tom and the team finally made it, completing the twice-round-the-world triathlon in the nick of time.

After some reflection, Tom draws the following conclusions: “it really has been a memorable year for us all. Achieving our weekly targets and ‘doing our bit’ to get to our 52-week target turned out to be important motivators, as was re-connecting with each other in Briggs and Jacko’s memory. Finding something that has been good for us and good for the charities we’ve raised money for, has made 2023 a year to remember.”

“Our alumni show us every day just how special they really are. The connections they forge at Durham are lifelong - and global. The importance of extra-curricular activities as an integral part of Durham’s wider student experience cannot be overstated. This rich ecosystem helps our students create friendships that transcend disciplines and continue long into graduate lives.”

- Glen Whitehead, Director of Alumni Relations and Development

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View some of the triathlon activities that took place

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Durham alumni in the twice-round-the-world challenge 

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Arranged alphabetically by surname:

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