Lakeland Triathlon? with a BIG difference

We have just picked on this amazing achievement from earlier in the year… ?Paul Clavey, a triathlete from Kendal, has just completed a unique endurance triathlon that has never previously been attempted. Over the weekend of the 14th/15th July, he embarked on what could arguably be regarded as amongst the toughest of multi sport challenges in the country. The challenge, which has since been labelled ?The Clavey Lakeland Triathlon Challenge?, started on Saturday morning by swimming the 5.5 mile length of Coniston Water. Then it was on to the bike to cycle 114 miles following the hilly course of the Fred Whitton Cycle race which traverses all the major Lakeland passes by road. Starting from Coniston the route takes in the passes of Kirkstone, Dockray, Honister, Newlands and Whinlatter before heading out along the west coast and over Hardknott and Wrynose passes, ascending 12,500ft of ascent, to finish back in Coniston. After a short transfer to Keswick the run section, which started around midnight, followed the Bob Graham Round, a 74 mile fell run over 42 Lakeland summits cumulatively ascending the height of Everest at 27,500ft. The route traverses the key summits of Skiddaw, Blencathra, Helvellyn, Fairfield, Bowfell, Scafell, Pillar, and Great Gable with four road crossings at Threlkeld, Dunmail, Wasdale and Honister to finish back at the Moot Hall in Keswick. Each of these disciplines are significant sporting achievements in their own right. Paul was successful in linking all three in the form of a long distance endurance triathlon, something that had never previously been attempted. The challenge took 43.5 hours, and he was supported in the lake, on the road and on the fell by many friends and family. “So much could have gone wrong,” he says. “Thankfully it didn´t. Though there were times on the final leg when I couldn´t keep food or drink down and was being sick while I jogged along. There were moments of black despair where I just wanted to curl up and lie on the ground.” Sources:http://www.wilfs-cafe.co.uk/news.phphttp://www.dpfr.org.uk/blog/?p=13

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