SACA LA LENGUA A LA ELA (Stick Out Your Tongue To Motor Neurone Disease)
IRONMAN AGAINST ELA is a solidarity challenge in which a group of 29 triathletes have signed up for the Ironman Triathlon in Lanzarote 2020 with the goal of increasing awareness of the “Saca la lengua a ELA” charity and to raise money for research.
The charity was created by Miguel Ángel Roldán, an ex-athlete from Cordoba who suffers from the illness. Miguel at 40 years of age has always been a sports lover and above all, has a passion for triathlon. He started Triathlon training in 2002 when he studied in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It was there where he began his journey into the world of triathlon and duathlon. Competing all over Andalucía and in large events in Spain and Europe, such as Ironman Germany in 2011. In the Vitoria Triathlon 2015 Miguel achieved a PB of 9 hours & 53 minutes, a phenomenal achievement that would have ranked him one of the best in the country at that time.
18 months ago, Miguel received devastating news. He was diagnosed and was suffering with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a progressive neurodegenerative disease. He was unable to continue working as a Physical Education teacher at the Urbano Palma school (Santaella) and this diagnosis would change his life.
To cope with this disease, Miguel, with the help of his friends Rafael Santos and Luis Rubio, created the #sacalalenguaalaela campaign. A video was produced and distributed on social networks that invited every person who takes part in physical activity to make the gesture of sticking out their tongue and challenging another person to move, exercise body and mind, and challenge the ELA.
The project has been well supported by celebrities in the sports and media world (see photos) and continues to raise awareness around the world about the importance of research and development to improve the quality of life of people suffering from this type of disease.
Despite no longer being able to compete in triathlon, Miguel has not thrown in the towel, he continues to study. He is completing a personal training master’s as well as training a number of triathletes for the Ironman Lanzarote 2020 Challenge.
The Challenge
Ironman Lanzarote is a triathlon event which consists of a 3.8KM swim, a 180KM bike ride and a 42.2KM marathon – each segment following straight on from the last. There is no prize money for the winners – they receive a medal, a finisher’s shirt and the kudos of having competed in the world’s toughest triathlon.
It´s considered the toughest for several reasons – the swim is in The Atlantic, with the associated swells, the bike course climbs over 2,500 metres, often into a strong northerly wind and the marathon generally takes place in searing heat. The dropout rate is high, in some years up to 18% of the triathletes did not finish. To add to the pressure, all competitors must cross the finish line within 17hrs. As soon as the clock hits 17hrs the race is over, and the clock is turned off, even if you are only 10 metres from the finish line!
The Triathletes
The triathletes representing the group “IRONMAN AGAINST THE ELA” predominately live and train in Andalucía however there are a number from further afield such as Ibiza & Northern Spain. The group is made up of triathletes of various levels, some have competed at the world championships in Hawaii, others are podium regulars for their age group whilst others will be competing in their first Ironman distance race.
All are experienced triathletes and have been competing for many years in different distance races. For most of them training started before Christmas building up to the race on the 23rd May 2020.
Two local triathletes Steve Twiselton (cyclemalaga.com) and Jansen Riley both living in Competa are representing the group “IRONMAN AGAINST ELA” and we would like to wish them all the best in Lanzarote in May
At time of going to print the race is still on however we are waiting for more updates on the coronavirus outbreak.
To find out more about Miguel and his charity please take a look on Youtube:
