A DIRECTOR at Palletforce member Wings Transport has smashed the world record for completing the endurance triathlon Enduroman Arch to Arc.

Mark Bayliss ran, swam and cycled more than 290 miles from the Marble Arch in London to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in 73 hours and 39 minutes.

Not only did he beat the previous record for the event by almost eight hours, he became only the 11th person in the world to complete the event and the only person to ever complete it without wearing a wetsuit for the swim across the Channel.

“The world record hasn’t really sunk in yet, I find it hard when people say ‘well done’ because it doesn’t feel like I’ve done anything to warrant that,” said Mark, from Caterham.

“The record wasn’t the most important thing to me, I trained so hard for it that just reaching the Arc de Triomphe was my main focus.”

In preparation for the event Mark’s training regime covered 3,000 kilometres running, 15,000 kilometres cycling and 2,000 kilometres swimming and strength and conditioning training at Dyanmo Boxing in Croydon.

Mark said he felt ‘tired and drained’ after completing the epic challenge, which involved an 87 mile run from Marble Arch to Dover, a swim across the Channel and 181 mile bike ride from Calais to Paris.

However he is already thinking about his next big race – a 100 mile run through the Pennines in January.

In the past Mark has competed in the Sri Chinmoy Lake Zurich marathon Swim (26.4km) three times, raced two Ironman triathlons, 13 marathons and 10 ultras, including the Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert.

Mark was sponsored for his challenge by Croydon-based Wings Transport – a member of the UK’s leading palletised distribution network Palletforce, Inov8, Gatorade, i-ride and GB Cycles.

“During the challenge I was so focused on what I was doing in that moment and trying not to think too far ahead that now I cannot remember much about it,” said Mark.

“The hardest part of the event was the sleep deprivation, I only had 11 hours throughout the whole event.

“There was a really nice moment during the challenge when I finished the Channel swim and as I came up on to the beach, someone from a restaurant on the seafront bought me a glass of champagne.

“It was my first alcohol in nine months so I drank it and then cycled 181 miles to the finish.”

Mark completed the Enduroman Arch to Arc to raise funds for Sportsaid, a charity that helps young British sportsmen and women to achieve their goals, and has so far raised more than £3,500.

“Mark’s phenomenal achievement reflects the spirit of pushing the limits and putting in the extra effort to be the best that runs through the Palletforce network,” said Michael Conroy, Chief Executive of Palletforce.

“The dedication and commitment he has shown to accomplishing his goal is something we can all take inspiration from as an embodiment of the Palletforce ethos of pursuing excellence.”

You can still sponsor Mark at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkBayliss.

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