Posted: May 15, 2006

Triathlon: Tribiza Coach to Tackle Enduroman Arch to Arc Challenge in 2007

Tribiza Affiliated Coach, Steve Haywood from Tri Coach UK and Stafford Triathlon Club has committed to a world record attempt in 2007 on what is possibly the world’s toughest Triathlon event, the infamous Enduroman Arch to Arc. This Ultra Distance Triathlon starts with an 87-mile run from London's Marble Arch to Dover, on the Kent coast, followed by a 22 mile cross-channel swim to the French coast, and then finishes up with a 180 mile bike from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where the clock stops. Only 3 athletes have ever completed this challenge, the current world record being set in 2001 by Enduroman's Eddie Ette in a time of 81 hours and 5mins.

Steve already has an impressive record as an active GB Age-Grouper, and Former GB 800m, 1500m, X/C athlete and an ex-Inter Services Champion, and is leaving for Ironman Lanzarote later this week, which is acknowledged to be possibly the toughest of the Ironman competitions, but which may well seem like a mere walk in the park in comparison to the Arch to Arc halfway though the Cross Channel swim in 07.

Steve has contacted Eddie Ette to arrange a meet date later this year, as Ed likes to witness athletes swim in the Channel before allowing them to take on the A2A challenge. “This was a reminder that not everybody has the privilege of even attempting the challenge, I’ve arranged a meeting in Sept 06 to go out in his boat in Weymouth. I assume that I won't actually be in the boat, but swimming in the sea instead!!” joked Steve.

As a UK Triathlete he is usually accustomed to swimming in a wetsuit, which is not allowed for the Arch to Arc challenge, or for Cross Channel attempts if they are to be recognised by the Guinness book of Records.

“Swimming through the chilly temperatures of the Channel is one of the many factors that I have to take into consideration when planning my coaching program. I’ve joined the BLDSC, with a view to take part in their endurance swimming races. Non-wetsuit swims will be excellent training for me. Triathlete?? Non-wetsuit?? Heavens forbid!!! ...Just remembered, haven't asked the missus yet!!” he continued.

You can benefit from Steve’s expert coaching and guidance in the UK through TriCoach UK’s Triathlon Training and Coaching programs or you can join him on Triathlon Training Camps in Ibiza (or Mallorca) Spain if warm weather training camps are your preference by contacting him through his website www.tricoach.co.uk, where you can also follow his training and progress for this event website in his journal.

Tribiza, who operate Triathlon Training Camps & Multi Sport Active Holidays & Breaks all year round in Ibiza & the Balearic isles can be contacted through their website on www.tribiza.com.

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