Start Time: 19th September 2008

The Route

The Artemis Arch To Arc Challenge is best described as an ultra distance triathlon, the course linking London’s Marble Arch and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris via the three disciplines of running, swimming and cycling.

The team from Enduroman will be supporting me throughout my training and during my record attempt. Enduroman is headed up by Edgar Ette, the first man to complete the Arch to Arc and current record holder. Together with two other course finishers, the Enduroman team specialise in hosting endurance events and more details of their services can be found at their website at www.enduroman.com

The clock will start when I leave Marble Arch and will only stop when I pass under the Arc de Triompe in Paris. On the basis that the mind and body remain strong throughout the run course, I will then have to rely on the sea gods to play their role and provide favourable swimming conditions in the Channel. The possibility of having unfavourable conditions on the day of the swim is a realistic concern and may even delay the swim leg. Depending on the length of the delay the record could be out of reach. As well as the sea conditions, I will need to negotiate the shipping lanes, sea sickness and the local marine life.

Once on French soil, I will face a massive 288km (180 miles) bike ride, having already been racing for over two days. The flat plains of northern France are notoriously windy and offer little protection to the lone cyclist. Difficult to negotiate under normal circumstances, they will be tackled by Nino who by this point will be physically and mentally fatigued.