Harrogate Triathlon competitor to wear specialist snorkel after cancer surgery

A man who underwent surgery for throat cancer is preparing to enter the Harrogate Triathlon — despite having a hole in his neck.

Richard Andrews was diagnosed with cancer  in July 2018 and underwent 30 sessions of radiotherapy. Despite being told there was just a 2% chance his cancer would return, it did in May 2019.

He then underwent a laryngectomy, which involved removing his larynx — the part of the throat that contains the vocal cords — and neck dissection in July 2019.

The operation took away three quarters of his thyroid and left him with a hole in his neck.

Richard maintains a positive outlook by setting himself huge athletic challenges, one of which is to compete in next month’s Harrogate Triathlon at Ashville College. He says finding something to focus on is “the only way to keep going”.

The most difficult part of the event will be the swim. Richard now has to breathe through the hole in his neck, rather than his nose or mouth, which means he will have to compete with a specialist snorkel fitted into the hole. This sends any water into his stomach.

He has also endured numerous training sessions learning to breathe through the 8mm tube.

Richard and friend John taking part in the 2021 Race to the Stones; a 100km trail.

Richard said:

“I have found the only way to keep going is to stay positive and push the boundaries, I have a wonderfully supportive family and have put my wife Ann through hell. I now have no sense of taste of smell and struggle to swallow solid food due to an anatomical anomaly with my food pipe.

“Also, people need to know that with throat cancer in particular you can still maintain a positive life, I am fitter now than I have ever been, yes I have bad moments but these are moments not days.”

Richard also suffers from extreme fatigue due to the loss of his thyroid and a lack of upper body strength. His neck dissection surgery meant the muscles in his neck were cut so simple tasks such as lifting his head when lying down require more strength.

Richard and John taking part in another running event in 2020.

The Harrogate Triathlon will be Richard’s third athletic event this year. The Hereford man has already competed in the Muddy Woody and the Cardiff half marathon.

Over the coming months he is also set to take on a half ironman which includes a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike ride and a 21km run.

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Richard said the support of those around him allows him to take on such events:

“The support from my family and friends is the reason I’m still alive.”

He gave special mentions to his wife Ann, children Josh, Gabby and Tom, specialist nurses Mim, Claire and Zoe, coaches Delia, Nicola, Darren, Nick and Jonty and good friend Jon.

For more on Richard’s journey, read his blog here.

Up to 300 athletes set to take part in Harrogate Triathlon

Harrogate Triathlon will return on May 8 — and as many as 300 people could take part.

The triathlon, which will take place in the grounds of Ashville College, has been going for about 10 years and new event director Paul Sykes hopes it will get bigger each year.

The most recent event, in September 2021, saw an increased number of participants after a covid hiatus. Harrogate Tri Club, which organises the event, hopes to capitalise on the eagerness of people to get back into events after lockdowns.

Mr Sykes said:

“Triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and our sprint and GO TRI distance events are perfect for anyone who is curious about or new to the sport. We have a great venue at Ashville College, and this year’s event will be bigger than ever as we will be hosting an under-18s event for the first time.

“It promises to be a great family day out and I’d really encourage people to either sign up or come along and spectate if they’re at all curious.”

The event is run by Harrogate Tri Club volunteers. Photograph: Harrogate Tri Club

The main event is the sprint triathlon, which involves a 420m pool swim, 24km bike ride and a 4.6km run. The run goes along Green Lane and Yew Tree Lane whereas the bike ride takes participants towards Beckwithshaw.

The second event, called a GO TRI, is aimed at people who are less confident about tackling the sprint triathlon. It consists of a 180m swim, 12km bike ride and a 2.3km run.

There is also an event for juniors, aged 8 to 18-years-old, which ranges in distances depending on age.

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The Tri Club, which organises the event, said the event was set up in 2012 following the London Olympics.

There will be stands from multiple brands including Harrogate’s Cold Bath Brewery and OTE Nutrition from Leeds.