Page 74 - Port Douglas Magazine 28

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ADRIAN WHITTAKER

INTERVIEW by Amie Thompson

Twelve years ago Adrian Whittaker was a self-confessed couch potato, weighing 110 kilos, and with his blood
pressure on the rise he knew he needed to make a lifestyle change. Skip forward to today and he has competed
in numerous Ultra Mans, Iron Mans, marathons and world championships all around the world.

friend was the first to suggest that he should get into running, again for the world championships in Kona in November this year, a gruelling
A three day event. Kona sees the best of best compete with a 10km swim from
and give triathlons a go, and from there Adrian’s journey began to
where now he has competed in numerous Ultra Mans, Iron Mans,
Kailua Bay to Keauhou Bay, a 421 km bike ride that includes climbs through
marathons and world championships, travelling all over the world in the the Volcanoes National Park of up to 4,000 vertical feet, and finishing off
name of his sport. with 84km run that starts in Hawi and finishes at Kona Airport. Each stage
Adrian is a warm, friendly, family focused and determined man. He is candid must be completed in 12 hours or less, and the swim must be completed in
and honest, and it became clear from the outset of our interview that he had five and half hours or less. It is hard to believe that for Adrian this wasn’t
a passion and a commitment not only towards himself as an athlete, but as a sport that he was born into, and had a passion for all his life. It was
a husband and father who has a desire to help and support others who wish something that on a decision to improve his health and well-being has re-
to test their limits, and challenge themselves to try and achieve what some shaped his life in a positive and inspirational way:
would call the unachievable. Okay, so my first question to you would be why?
Adrian has competed in four Ultra Man’s to date – three in Australia, and (Laughs) Because I can. I like to see how far I can push myself. I gave up
one last year at the world championships in Kona, Hawaii where he ranked rugby at 25, and hadn’t played a sport since. I would finish my work day in
an impressive sixth place overall. In exciting news Adrian has qualified once construction, and come home and watch TV, have a beer and a packet of
74 tourismportdouglas.com.au