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After a gruelling six hours of swimming, cycling and running - and one athlete being thrown off his treadmill for accidentally dozing - four sportsmen have crossed the ‘virtual finish line’ for their extreme triathlon, raising more than £6,500 for Jersey's Salvation Army.
The team - comprising Chris Bell, Andy Ruddy, Fintan Kennedy and Chris Stephens - were due to compete in the Challenge Roth ironman distance triathlon in Germany in July.
Following the event’s cancellation, however, they decided to complete a challenge from home instead.
Starting at 08:00 on Friday 8 May, the event began with a 1,900m physically-distanced sea swim before the team took to their exercise bikes and treadmills to complete a 90 km bike ride and 21.1km run from home.
The event was hosted live on a Zoom video call, with athletes near and far offering virtual support.
Pictured: Andy Ruddy and Fintan Kennedy ready for the socially-distanced sea swim at Greve de Lecq.
Commenting on the challenge, Chris Stephens said: “Normally when undertaking a half or full ironman I'll be dreading the swim but looking forward to the bike and run. This time was different. The swim was stunning on the high tide and the bike and run were mind over matter.”
Andy Ruddy said there were a few “low points” during the cycle, which included a 2km climb up a volcano in a virtual course aptly named the 'Four Horsemen'.
“It’s difficult mentally when the kilometres are not ticking down quickly!” he said.
Pictured: Chris Bell completed the bike section from his garage.
It was the run, however, that proved the most challenging aspect.
“The torture of running on a treadmill going nowhere is mind numbing,” said Fintan Kennedy.
“Normally you can zone out on the run and a kilometre or two might fly by,” Chris Stephens explained.
“I drifted off for a moment and got thrown off the treadmill. But I dusted myself down, checked the grazes and got on with it!”
Pictured: A brief moment of "zoning out" sent Chris Stephens flying off the treadmill.
To keep morale high, family members shouted out the fundraising total as it continued to rise throughout the challenge.
“It was definitely a hard day both mentally and physically,” said Chris Bell. “But the massive amount of money raised for such a good cause made it all worthwhile.”
The team have so far raised over £4,500 on their Just Giving page, and received generous donations from both HSBC and Citibank.
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