Taking the Fight to Cancer - Tadworth Member and Instructor Achieve Fourth Place in UK Finals

Tadworth Leisure & Community Centre is celebrating the incredible determination of member Rob Smith and class instructor Jo King, who finished fourth in the Driathlon UK Finals after a year of training together — all while raising vital funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Rob and Jo’s remarkable journey reached a major milestone on 4 October 2026, when they competed together in the Driathlon UK Finals. The event challenges pairs to complete three 20-minute disciplines — SkiErg, cycling and rowing — with the aim of burning as many combined calories as possible in 60 minutes.
The pair delivered an outstanding performance, recording 986 calories to finish fourth in the competition, just two calories short of third place. Their result is a testament to the commitment, resilience and teamwork they have shown throughout their preparation.

Rob was diagnosed with stage four aggressive bowel cancer in September 2025. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define what he could achieve, he chose to keep pushing forward and take on a new challenge.
Rob approached Jo, who teaches classes at Tadworth Leisure & Community Centre, to help him train for a pairs competition. When he explained his circumstances, Jo stepped up to support him, and together they committed to seeing how far they could go.
Training at Tadworth, they met twice a week and worked towards qualifying for the finals. Their progress was extraordinary: after qualifying in 10th position, they went on to finish fourth in the final.
Throughout the journey, Jo has been a constant source of encouragement for Rob, helping him through the more difficult training sessions and keeping their shared goal in sight. Rob has described her as the best training partner he has ever known.

Alongside their sporting achievement, Rob and Jo have been raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, helping support the charity’s important work with people affected by cancer.
Their fundraising page showed £4,819 raised towards a £6,000 target, supported by 140 people. Their efforts demonstrate how a personal challenge can inspire a wider community to get behind a cause.

The words “Taking the fight to cancer”, featured on their shirts and promotional materials, capture the spirit of their challenge: facing adversity with courage, determination and the support of others.

Gareth Spencer, General Manager at Tadworth Leisure & Community Centre, said:
“We are incredibly proud of Rob and Jo and everything they have achieved together. Finishing fourth in the Driathlon UK Finals is a fantastic result, particularly after such a demanding year of training.
“What makes their achievement even more special is that Rob’s courage and Jo’s commitment as a training partner are inspiring, and their message of ‘Taking the fight to cancer’ resonates far beyond the competition.
“At Tadworth, we are delighted that our centre has played a part in their journey. Congratulations to them both, and thank you to everyone who has supported their fundraising.”

Rob and Jo are already looking ahead to a new challenge next year, continuing their commitment to training, fundraising and raising awareness.
Their journey is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through determination, teamwork and community support.
Congratulations to Rob and Jo from everyone at Tadworth Leisure & Community Centre.