Going the Distance - the Arch to Arc
18 images Created 3 Nov 2014
The Arch to Arc is billed as the hardest triathlon in the world. It is comprised of a 87 mile run from Marble Arch in London to Dover, a swim across the Channel to Calais in France, finishing with a 180 mile bike ride to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
49-year-old charity worker, and recovering alcoholic, Paul Parrish hoped to be the oldest man to complete the event.
Parrish felt that training for the event has filled the gaps in his life that drinking left. “Alcoholism is grim … you can’t get much lower,” he said, adding that he looked forwards to celebrating completing the event with a cup of tea.
He realizes the feat might seem extraordinary, but believes that “you need to make a leap of faith with yourself and give things a go.”
I watched Paul through some of his training and followed him as he took part in the race. The sheer size of the task was impressive, but it was only by traveling with him through his entire journey did I fully understand the hardships involved.
After the long run, which took place over 24 hours, we arrived in Dover where we found that there was only a 50/50 chance he would be allowed to make his swim. Luckily the weather gods were smiling but it turned out that no channel swim is straightforward.
This was the part that Paul feared most. With the cycle or run you can stop or rest, but during a swim you have to move constantly, or the tide will take you back. “During a long swim I don’t want to know anything about time. It’s just me and the water, when tiredness comes I feel like I’m going to pieces,” said Parrish.
Waves, fatigue, jellyfish, extreme cold all combine to make the swim difficult. The swimmer has to pass through shipping lanes – the busiest in the world – but it is the psychological challenge that Parrish saw as his biggest hurdle, “the biggest fear is not your body – but that your head will give up.”
Even eating was a challenge. A small boat carried food and a support crew who passed drinks to Parrish in a small milk bottles on a rope.
The cycle from Calais to Paris was a long, slow journey. I traveled with a support vehicle, everyone was tired and irritable, and just keeping going was difficult, but it was worse for Parrish, “You feel every niggle, get worried about injury and aches and pains move around the body.”
The journey through Paris at rush hour was dangerous. Parrish had been cycling for 20 hours and I was worried he’d be hit by a passing bus. In the end he reached the finish line – there was a small celebration but no great victory lap. Parrish had a brief sleep then turned back, pleased it was all over and probably wondering what his next challenge would be.
Parrish took 21 hours 55 mins for his run, 17 hours 25 min for his swim and 20 hours 44 min for his cycle. Including breaks between stages his total time completing the Arch to Arc was 84 hours 44 min. Parrish is the oldest person to complete the race, and the 7th fastest.
49-year-old charity worker, and recovering alcoholic, Paul Parrish hoped to be the oldest man to complete the event.
Parrish felt that training for the event has filled the gaps in his life that drinking left. “Alcoholism is grim … you can’t get much lower,” he said, adding that he looked forwards to celebrating completing the event with a cup of tea.
He realizes the feat might seem extraordinary, but believes that “you need to make a leap of faith with yourself and give things a go.”
I watched Paul through some of his training and followed him as he took part in the race. The sheer size of the task was impressive, but it was only by traveling with him through his entire journey did I fully understand the hardships involved.
After the long run, which took place over 24 hours, we arrived in Dover where we found that there was only a 50/50 chance he would be allowed to make his swim. Luckily the weather gods were smiling but it turned out that no channel swim is straightforward.
This was the part that Paul feared most. With the cycle or run you can stop or rest, but during a swim you have to move constantly, or the tide will take you back. “During a long swim I don’t want to know anything about time. It’s just me and the water, when tiredness comes I feel like I’m going to pieces,” said Parrish.
Waves, fatigue, jellyfish, extreme cold all combine to make the swim difficult. The swimmer has to pass through shipping lanes – the busiest in the world – but it is the psychological challenge that Parrish saw as his biggest hurdle, “the biggest fear is not your body – but that your head will give up.”
Even eating was a challenge. A small boat carried food and a support crew who passed drinks to Parrish in a small milk bottles on a rope.
The cycle from Calais to Paris was a long, slow journey. I traveled with a support vehicle, everyone was tired and irritable, and just keeping going was difficult, but it was worse for Parrish, “You feel every niggle, get worried about injury and aches and pains move around the body.”
The journey through Paris at rush hour was dangerous. Parrish had been cycling for 20 hours and I was worried he’d be hit by a passing bus. In the end he reached the finish line – there was a small celebration but no great victory lap. Parrish had a brief sleep then turned back, pleased it was all over and probably wondering what his next challenge would be.
Parrish took 21 hours 55 mins for his run, 17 hours 25 min for his swim and 20 hours 44 min for his cycle. Including breaks between stages his total time completing the Arch to Arc was 84 hours 44 min. Parrish is the oldest person to complete the race, and the 7th fastest.
