Mike Gaffaney has found a reason close to his heart to continue progressing in the sport of triathlon.
Two and a half years ago Mike’s life changed when his wife Kath died of cancer.
In the dark days that followed Kath’s death, Mike travelled travelled to Taupo for the 2009 Ironman New Zealand in part to support a friend but also to find a distraction.
What he witnessed changed his life.
"Observing the age groupers coming in late at night with their friends and family to the famous call of ‘you are an Ironman’ inspired me,” Mike says.
"Seeing Cameron Brown and the elites was marvellous but seeing all the shapes and sizes and the buzz around Taupo has set me on an unshakeable path towards that goal, with the memory of Kath as my inspiration.”
Sport is something in the Gaffaney family’s blood as Kath had been a keen sportswoman and had almost qualified as a New Zealand netball umpire. Son Chris is also a current New Zealand cricket umpire and a former Otago opening batsman.
Inspired by what he saw at Ironman, Mike began training and joined the North Harbour Triathlon club where he currently trains with Stephen Farrell.
"Under his leadership and guidance triathlon has become an integral part of my life. My goal is to complete an ironman and keep on going for as long as I can.
"The change of lifestyle has been significant and the inspiration my wife and inspirational people have provided in some way distracted me and has given me a goal now.”
Mike recently completed the Taupo Half Ironman as a fundraiser for the Auckland Hospice. He now organises the North Shore Intermediate Schools Triathlon Champs at Hobsonville airbase.
Along with a friend, Mike is continuing to try and raise awareness of the good work done by the Hospice as he eyes his next race.
It’s clear that triathlon means something very special to Mike and is something he won’t be giving up anytime soon.
"Triathlon and the people around it have become my family.”
