Dad beats record for 'world's hardest triathlon'

There were celebrations in Paris for Paul Robinson

A father of two has set a new record for a challenge known by some as the "hardest triathlon in the world".

Fewer than 60 people have completed the Enduroman Arch 2 Arc challenge - made up of a run from the Marble Arch in London to Dover, a cross-channel swim, and a cycle to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

None have done the non-wetsuit version faster than Paul Robinson - who on Sunday morning arrived in the French capital in about 67 hours - two hours faster than anyone had before.

Mr Robinson's version of the challenge, in aid of Sam Perkins's Fifty50 Motor Neurone Disease (MND) campaign, was completed without the warmth and extra speed provided by a wetsuit.

Only six people have ever attempted the race without one.

The 40-year-old, from Risley in Derbyshire, said the challenge had taken its toll on his body.

"It was a bit surreal, the Arc de Triomphe was really busy," he said.

"It was a special moment, but I think it will take a bit of time to sink in.

"My body's in quite a bad way, I'm hobbling around this morning."

Champagne was popped in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe

Mr Robinson's challenge nearly did not go ahead due to the weather conditions.

His Saturday 7 September start date ended up being moved to the following Friday night.

He said: "We had to wait all week. The run took me 22 hours through the night, it got down to four degrees running through Kent.

"The run was pretty difficult but the swim was definitely the toughest, it was pretty choppy, the last five hours the wind and the rain started to pick up."

Mr Robinson has been training for 48 weeks to take on the challenge

Despite the challenging weather, he completed the 87-mile (140km) run, 21-mile (34km) swim and 181-mile (291km) cycle in record time.

He said: "I was going for a non-wetsuit record and I managed to knock two hours off that time.

"Between the swim and the cycle I had no sleep whatsoever - my coach let me have two 10-minute power naps sat in the car alongside my bike."

Mr Robinson, who trains in Nottinghamshire, said he was inspired to raise funds for the charity by former Leeds Rhinos rugby player Rob Burrow, who died in June after being diagnosed with MND in 2019.

So far his feat has raised more than £10,000.

He said: "I'm promising my wife I'll stop now - but it is slightly addictive."