News Digest

Man completes ultimate UK triathlon: Swims, cycles and runs length of Britain

An extreme endurance adventurer who has completed the ultimate British triathlon is looking forward to his next challenge. Sean Conway, 34, succeeded in his attempt to run the entire length of Great Britain - from John O'Groats to Land’s End - unsupported, carrying all his own kit, including a tent, and sourcing food and water along the way. He covered nearly 1,000 miles in six weeks and his run south, filmed for a Discovery Channel programme, was the equivalent of 38 consecutive marathons.

It all began because I realised I had a need to push myself physically and mentally to live my life to the full.

Sean Conway

Conway (pictured), who is from Zimbabwe but lives in Cheltenham, took over 1.5 million steps to reach the famous Land’s End signpost, averaging over 25 miles a day, and there were several days where he reached distances of roughly 40 miles. He started his challenge by cycling the length of Britain, and followed that by swimming the length of Britain - a 900-mile journey, for which he grew his trademark ginger beard to ward off jellyfish stings. Conway said: “I really needed to make this run happen because failing it a second time round was not an option for me. I’m relieved to have finished now and look forward to challenging myself and my aching limbs to something else in the not too distant future.” His last attempt at the run in 2014 ended unsuccessfully after an injury forced him to call it a day.

The run was incredibly tough, tougher than I expected, but the passion and support of the British public throughout my journey was tremendous and without them I do not think I would have accomplished this historic feat.

Sean Conway