A fitness fanatic will take on three gruelling challenges as part of an ‘alternative triathlon’.
Eddie Whittle, of Sawley Drive in Great Harwood, is set to row across Lake Windermere, cycle from Windermere to London and then take part in the London Marathon in the space of less than six days.
The 35-year-old has also ‘roped in’ three friends John McDonough, formerly of Great Harwood, Gareth Baird and Jonathan Smith, to take part in the ‘mad’ challenge. They are aiming to raise £10,000 which will be split between charities Macmillan Cancer Support, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Prostate Cancer UK and Meningitis Now.
Eddie, who does IT training with the NHS, has previously taken part in numerous physical challenges for charity, however admits this will be the ‘biggest yet’. The challenge will begin on April 21 with a 10.5 mile row across Lake Windermere.
From there the group will cycle 315 miles to London before taking part in the 26.2 mile London Marathon on April 26.
Eddie has previously climbed Kilamanjaro and cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats, taking part in the Great North Run en route.
He said: “I have done a couple of challenges in the past and I was trying to think of something new and different and what to do next. I wanted to do a triathlon but make it a bit bigger. The prospect of swimming didn’t really appeal so I thought I would make it an alternative triathlon by rowing and then combining all three big events together into one. It sounds a bit mad when I put it like that but that’s how it came about.
“I have not done anything like this before. I think this will be the toughest one yet.”
Eddie said each of the four charities he has chosen has a personal connection.
He said: “Macmillan looked after my dad when he was diagnosed with cancer and Cardiac Risk in the Young offered great support when my best friend died in his sleep.
“My niece also had meningitis. It will be tough but you just have to think about why you are doing it and it makes it less so. It will be a good laugh and the three friends I’m doing it with are a good bunch. We will make it as enjoyable as we can.” To sponsor visit www.madness4charity.co.uk .
