WMP PC TAKES IRONMAN CHALLENGE

This August, PC Steve Haywood, a uniform trainer from West Midlands Police, will be attempting to become the first athlete to complete a Deca Ironman Triathlon in Great Britain.

In 2007 Steve became only the forth person in history to have completed the gruelling Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathlon, involving running 87 miles from London to Dover and swimming the English Channel before cycling 187 miles from Calais to Paris.

For most, the thought of a standard distance single Ironman Triathlon, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike then a marathon 26.2 mile run would be enough. A Deca Ironman Triathlon involves 10 times these distances - a 24 mile swim (longer than the English Channel), a staggering 1,120 mile bike ride and a seemingly impossible 262 mile run.

The swim will take place in a lake in Sandwell Valley, where Steve will swim 48 times around a half-mile lap of the lake. The bike route will stretch from the Midlands to the top of Snowdon in Wales 112 miles away and back again on out-and-back laps. The run will take place on the Heart of England way, an ancient trail that runs from the Cotswolds to Cannock Chase.

Steve has already started his training this year by winning triathlons in Wales and Cornwall. In March this year, he was one of only two finishers of a field of 40 to have completed a 78 mile fell race (the equivalent of three marathons) over the South West coastal path within the 24 hour cut-off time.

Steve said: "My run and bike training has been going to plan, but I have been struggling with my swimming. After swimming the English Channel last year, I am finding it difficult mentally preparing for swimming in small circles around a lake. "However, I am going to ask some friends to tip some diesel, sewerage and jelly fish into the lake so it should feel home from home!"

For more information about the event, visit the website at
www.enduroman.com