Finlay takes on US Ironman challenge for CLAPA
Supporting CLAPA from across the pond, Finlay Mathias has completed the Ironman 70.3 Washington Tri Cities challenge in the US.
After a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle, and a half marathon, the 24-year-old finished his first half Ironman in an impressive 6hrs 20mins and 2 seconds.
He said: “I was hoping for a sub 6hrs 30-ish time, with a pipe dream of going sub 6hrs, but with the windy and rainy conditions on the day, I’m extremely pleased with my performance.”
Finlay was born in the US with a unilateral cleft lip and palate, and currently lives in California. His mum Katherine was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate in the UK.
“CLAPA is incredible in the way it supports children and adults born with cleft.”
Just before the race, Finlay exceeded his fundraising goal of £1132 for CLAPA – £10 for every kilometre of the challenge. He wore a CLAPA logo-ed
triathlon suit throughout the event, to raise awareness.
He said: “CLAPA is incredible in the way it supports children and adults born with cleft.
“My mum accessed support from CLAPA when I was at school in the UK, and raised money for them at the Great North Run a few years back. I wanted to acknowledge the amazing support the charity provides for so many people, and to give something back.”
Finlay said the Ironman was near Seattle, in Washington State, “not to be confused with the capital Washington DC”.
He laughed: “It was some challenge. The first part, the swim, went perfect, but then biking, my least favourite, was a lot of highs and lows – literally and figuratively. I had to get off my bike and vomit into a bush after attacking the first hill far too aggressively!
“With the wind and everything, I put all I could out there, and am very pleased with how it went. Many more experienced athletes dropped out during the bike ride due to the conditions.
“My mum, and some Irish friends she’d made on the day, shouted out my name as I hopped off the bike, which gave me a huge mental push as I headed into the last section of the race. The run section went as well as hoped and the final 5k felt like a dream.”
“We’re so happy to have been able to raise money for CLAPA for all the amazing work they do.”
Katherine flew over from her Edinburgh home to support her son, and celebrate his birthday after the challenge.
She said: “I’m extremely proud of Finlay for his amazing achievement. He was the only athlete openly promoting a charitable cause (that we could tell) and we’re so happy to have been able to raise money for CLAPA for all the amazing work they do.
“While CLAPA wasn’t around when I was a small child, they’ve helped me and Finlay at times over the years, and I’m grateful for the support they provide to children and parents around the UK today.”
Finlay was born in Texas in September 2001, just after the infamous 9/11 World Trade Centre terrorist attack.
He explained: “There were no embassies open and no flights, so it was easier for me to have a US passport at the time, instead of a UK one.
“My parents are both from the UK. We all moved around a lot growing up, with dad working in the global gas and oil industry, but I’m the only American in my family.”
Finlay grew up in Texas, Calgary, Vietnam and Indonesia, before the family returned to the UK when he was a teenager.
“My first memories of any cleft treatment are in Canada, because I remember the dentist’s office in a massive high-rise building – with floor to ceiling glass windows looking out over Calgary that they’d face you towards to distract you.”
With dual US and UK nationality, Finlay returned to the US after finishing school in Edinburgh, to attend Los Angeles College of Music and study audio engineering, videography and business.
He now lives in Pasadena, near Los Angeles, and runs a videography company with a group of friends.
After completing the half Ironman, Finlay’s now planning to take on a full Ironman – double the length of all three sections – for his 25th birthday in September 2026, and raise more funds for CLAPA.
“She did such a great job of making me feel comfortable and happy with my cleft.”
“I’m hooked now and picking up the family sports person baton from mum.
She’s been a huge part of my inspiration, and a runner all my life. She’s the one who got me into running, when we used to do 5Ks together in Indonesia.
“Also, with her cleft lip, she’s always shown me what true strength looks like, and I want to pay homage to that.
“Mum was a huge support for me growing up, as I’m the only one of my siblings with a cleft lip. She did such a great job of making me feel comfortable and happy with my cleft.
“It’s been fantastic to support CLAPA in her honour, and hit the fundraising goal – I’m so pleased and thankful to all who donated and supported me.”
To donate to Finlay’s challenge for CLAPA please visit here
Thank you Finlay
Thanks Finlay for your story and your fundraising for CLAPA.
