CRUK Cambridge Institute scientist to compete for Great Britain in World Duathlon Championships

A scientist at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute will compete for Great Britain against other top athletes when he takes part in the World Duathlon Championships in Spain this weekend.

Ian Hall, 47, will raise money for vital research as he takes on the gruelling 10k run, 40k bike ride and 5k run in Pontevedra.

He qualified for the elite event as part of the GB Age Group Team, coming seventh in his age range.

Ian, from St Ives, fits in duathlon training around his work as principal scientific associate at the University of Cambridge institute, where he has spent 14 years aiding research into different types and aspects of cancer.

Early morning starts enable him to fit in time on his bike and he runs during his lunch break.

"It's tough to get up and out training before work sometimes but having a goal like a world championship keeps me motivated,” he said. “Knowing the challenges people face every day in their battle with cancer keeps me grounded, and being able to raise money for CRUK and help their research is always inspiring and a driver to keep going.

"As a scientist working in a core facility, I support many different research groups with a wide range of research interests. It's very inspiring to work with so many fantastic scientists in such a diverse field, knowing work carried out here can have real world benefits to people's lives.”

Ian, who lost his father to pancreatic cancer aged just 62, added: “I'm raising money for Cancer Research UK, a charity that continues to prevent, increase early identification and develop cures for over 200 types of cancer.

“My family has been affected by cancer, as have so many families in the UK, and I understand research is key to eradicating this dreadful disease.

“I'm taking part for those of us who have lost family to this dreadful disease, for those of us who have friends undergoing treatment and facing that daily challenge with such positivity, and for all of us who are touched directly and indirectly by cancer. Cancer is just so unfair.”

Cancer death rates have fallen by 10 per cent in the UK over the past decade, thanks to advances from research. But in the East of England, around 37,400 people are still diagnosed and around 15,700 lose their lives to the disease every year.

Ian raised more than £1,000 last year by climbing Britain's highest peaks, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden.

This year, he is determined to raise even more money when the championships take place on 21-22 June.

“Please donate anything you can spare to help CRUK and together we can look for a future where lives are longer, better and life is lived with all of our loved ones and maybe a little bit more fair," he said.

Ian's fundraising page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/page/ian-hall-2.