'˜Ironman' Rik flies over from Manly for reunion with a difference

As rugby league legends gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Wigan's first World Club Challenge win, one native was back from his Manly base to take on a task as momentous.
Ironman athlete Rik EnglishIronman athlete Rik English
Ironman athlete Rik English

Rik English was back home for a family reunion, and competed in last weekend’s Ironman UK – a gruelling triathlon only for the brave incorporating a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and a marathon.

The 29-year-old, originally from Coppull, has lived in Australia for the past six years, and currently lives in Manly, where Wigan’s opponents from that famous night 30 years ago came from.

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But English’s visit was cause for a different kind of celebration, and the flight from the other side of the world was not for a rest.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I started running when I was 17 - my first run was in aid of cancer research in memory of my grandad and my first marathon was four years ago along the Gold Coast.

“Last year, my mates and I said how it would be great to do an ironman, so I signed-up a year ago.”

No stranger to fitness - English ran a 60km ultra marathon last year - then immediately began training for last Sunday’s event, which took place on a course across the North West including his native Wigan.

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“The race started the day I signed up because you have to train like a full-time athlete as well as your day job,” said English.

“But Australia is the perfect environment for running, you can get up and go for a run along the beach before work.”

But the training was the least of his worries ahead of Ironman.

On his journey to the UK, his equipment got held-up in transit.

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“My equipment got left in Abu Dhabi and I had a race on to get my stuff,” he laughed.

“I took to social media for help and within 10 hours I had everything I needed. My bike came from a bloke I’d never met. I’m so grateful for everyone who has helped me.”

English is used to traveling despite laying a new foundation Down Under.

He now has dual UK/Australian citizenship but has also lived in California and New Zealand.

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“My love of rugby league first took me to Australia,” he explained.

“I got a degree in sports journalism and did work experience with Wigan Warriors before going backpacking in Australia. I played RL and worked in recruitment.

“I just fell in love with the lifestyle and became a citizen this year.”

Despite living in Manly, English follows Souths thanks to ex-Wigan coach Michael Maguire being at the helm, and keeps up-to-date with Warriors like their old boss does.

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“My job when I moved to Sydney was working in a gym and Souths would come in a lot do some work,” he explained.

“I’d sometimes have a chat about Wigan and how he follows them and keeps in touch with Waney.”

English was joined by two friends and his 51-year-old uncle on the Ironman course, though he lamented ‘only’ managing one loop of the cycling course during the event which took him a total of 14-and-a-half-hours.

But his troubles of two wheels didn’t spoil the experience.

“It was a brilliant day,” he said.

“The ironman is the toughest endurance event I’ve ever done and I wanted to be challenged physically and mentally in a way I’d never been before.

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“I got so much more out of it and it was one of the best days of my life, and to do the event in the area I grew-up was special.

“I’m so grateful to all the friends and family who came along to cheer me on.”