Introducing Louis Dunne
Louis’ dad, Tim, was a friend of mine.
He had taught my children to swim as a swim instructor at our local swim club and was a minor celebrity in local triathlons and sports.
Tim was also a Detective in the Police, previously working in the child protection unit and then divisional homicide ‘catching the really bad guys’
In July 2016, whilst cycling on hire bikes in the North of Majorca on holiday, Tim collapsed and tragically died at the roadside with his son, Louis, 13-years old, by his side.
For obvious reasons, this was a terrible and traumatic experience for the Dunne family and for everyone who surrounded them, but at Tim’s memorial service Louis stood up and committed to ride 4,900 miles in a year to commemorate his dad who was 49.
As a 13/14-year old, Louis completed his 4,900 miles on the Col de la Madeleine in the French Alps in the summer of 2017.
From that time, Louis has committed to become a long-distance triathlete (Tim had competed and completed Ironman Nice when Louis was small)
Starting from the memorial service, Louis has completely committed his life to being the best he possibly can in triathlon, whilst working outside of any established training organisation, including British Triathlon, so that he can set his own path.
To watch Louis train is extraordinary. To see his commitment and the fact that he almost never, ever misses a session that is set for him is quite inspirational.
In August 2021, following all the disruption of the Pandemic, Louis travelled to Aberfeldy in Perthshire in Scotland, to compete in the British Middle Distance Triathlon Championship.
Middle-distance triathlon is otherwise known as ‘Half Ironman’
It consists of a 1.4-mile open water lake (loch) swim, followed by a 56 mile bike and completed with a 13.1 mile run.
Regulations basically state that you can only compete at Half Ironman distance when you are 18, due to protection of growing bodies, and so Louis’ first full Half Ironman race was the British Championships in Scotland as an 18-year old.
Following all the years of commitment since that bike ride in Majorca, Louis arrived on the middle and long-distance triathlon scene by becoming the under-20’s British Champion at his first attempt and winning by over 20 minutes (almost 2.5 miles)
Louis continues on his quest to reach the highest possible heights in middle and long-distance triathlon, setting his aspirational goal as the World Championship in Hawaii as a professional athlete.
For a young person training in middle and long-distance triathlon, support is extremely limited with no national structure of training or assistance. Therefore, commercial assistance and expert assistance has to be sought out by the individual athlete themselves.
Louis has had extraordinary support from his friends at Huub and in particular, Dean Jackson from the very outset of Louis career and from the terrible, tragic events in Majorca.
Louis works at The Campbell Clinic in Nottingham and is supported by the team and the infrastructure there, to allow him to work but also navigate his 25 hours a week of training.
Louis also has incredible support from Megan McDonald, his coach, Gregor MacLean, his Personal Trainer and Sports Therapist and also Holleron Wealth Management.
Without the support of these people, Louis would be unable to compete at the level he competes at and to work at the level he works at.
If you are interested in helping Louis to try and reach his goals and to try to inspire other people in times of adversity, then please contact me: colin@campbell-clinic.co.uk
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