Marc Frohock, 45, a general builder at G W Topham & Son, in Eltisley, raised over £1,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) in the process.
He started his incredible effort by cycling from home, where he lives with wife Cheryl and children Eden, 22, and Ava, 12, to Loughborough, Leicestershire. That journey also included a 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim and 13-mile (21km) run.
Marc, a member of Huntingdon’s BRJ Run and Tri, rode to his mum’s house in Congleton, Cheshire, the following day, again including a run and swim along the way.
He then made a similar type of journey to Bolton, allowing himself just a day’s recovery before taking part in Ironman UK, that consists of a 2.4-mile (3.8km) swim, 112-mile (180km) bike ride and 26.2-mile (42.2km) run.
Amazingly, Marc, who had previously only completed a half-marathon and a few sprint-distance triathlons, finished the gruelling challenge in 11 hours and 31 minutes.
He explained: “After hearing the saddest story on Sport Relief a few years ago, about a young couple who lost both their children to unrelated illnesses before their 10th birthdays and only two years apart, I decided to get off my butt and do something related to helping families that find themselves in a similar position. For me our children's health and happiness is the most important thing in the world and it’s wrong that any parent should have to deal with life-threatening problems for their kids.
“I grew up living very close to one of EACH’s three hospices, in Milton, and know of the unbelievable work they do for sick children and their families, helping them understand and deal with the many problems they’ll have to go through during their time of need.
“Thank you to everyone for all the kind donations and, indeed, messages of great support. I was very happy with my time of 11 hours and 31 minutes. Luckily for me, I don’t mind a bit of pain and don’t give up that easily. I hadn’t had a drink since Christmas, though, so I’ve sat down with a nice, cold beer to think about what to do next.”
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) provides care and support for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across the region, and has to generate over £6 million a year from fundraising to run its vital service.
To show your appreciation for Marc’s efforts and add to his total, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marc-frohock.