A BASINGSTOKE man who suffers with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) has not let the condition hold him back after completing on of the world’s toughest triathlons. 

Ryan Meade, 26, was diagnosed with the condition just before his 12th birthday. 

Having been a very active child, he found it hard to spend time with friends or take part in activities he enjoyed such as Judo. Going to school even became impossible, leading him to miss more than 18 months at school. 

Despite a number of setbacks the 26-year-old would not let ME hold him back anymore. 

He said: “At the start of my journey to recovery, I could only manage a 150-metre walk to the shops on my road. 

“Gradually, I built this up and eventually started running after long months of slowly adding small amounts of distance. And so my love of running was born.”

And it is this love of running which saw Ryan compete in the Brutal Extreme Triathlon in North Wales on Saturday. 

Ryan took part in what has been voted the world’s toughest triathlon by embarking on a 2.4-mile open water swim, 116-mile bike ride and finishing off with a 16-mile run which takes in the ascent and decent of Mount Snowden.

“I would never have thought this achievement possible 13 years ago,” Ryan added. 

As well as completing this challenge, the 26-year-old has also taken part in three half-marathons, a triathlon and the Three Peaks trek.

Ryan is one of the lucky ones who has made an incredible recovery. For many of the 250,000 men, women and children in the UK estimated to be affected by ME, even a short walk to their front door can be as draining as a triathlon.

In the run up to the event, Ryan was raising money for the the Association of Young People with ME, and Action for ME, which offers a lifeline of support and information to people affected by ME, both of which helped him with his recovery. 

Ryan is aiming to raise a total of £2,000 for the charities. To donate and find out more about Ryan’s journey visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RMeade.