I’m the same, seems to be such an irrelevant challenge. I do not know why people think that it is inspirational.
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Yep. I’m all for ‘inspirational challenges’, but this is just stupid IMO. There is a serious risk of long term irreversible damage being done.
Plus the method of ‘delivery’ is borderline farcical
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do you remember the fella in the Pirates who thought he could do the A2A - Darth Vader was his forum name?? many of us thought he was bonkers even trying as he was a pretty useless triathlete but sure enough he signed up and got a place. He managed the run to Dover, but didn’t complete the swim so challenge was over - and he disappeared from social media not to be seen again. Bit off much more than he could chew.
I read the race report for the TTer who attempted A2A and got within 5 miles of France, good read. Handy triathlete trying something stupidly hard.
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That was @hillwall , he’s got a history of ultra, did a quin as well.
“Dan” nearly responded but the World has enough negativity and I’m indifferent about him 
. He’s a legend as well apparently…FFS legend is not some bloke doing some random challenge.
Yeah, @Hammerer is right, it was me. I still think about it every day and would love to do it again. Don’t think I’ll ever manage that distance/pace again though
As for whether this is inspirational, I don’t think it is. To me, it needs to be an event that anyone who has a full time job can aspire to. Personally, I think this maxes out at a deca. Anything longer than that and most people cannot afford to take that much consecutive time off work.
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You didn’t have much luck with the tides there 
Sorry, couldn’t remember who it was, read it a while back. I think A2A is close to impossible for anyone a) normal and doesn’t enjoy epic amounts of endurance training b) has a full time job c) isn’t incredibly lucky with weather/tides.
Pretty sure an RAF girl did it; she did a few ultra things. But she had the backing of work, and was a singleton etc, it was essentially her life for a while. Rachel Cadman iirc.
Interestingly she was never part of the mainstream services Triathlon scene as far as I remember.
She did the Enduroman Double in 2010 the year before A2A I recall. Did pretty well overall from my distant memory
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I coached a lad for A2A
He had been on a Coach ed course and his swimming was not up to much. i did a swim video analysis with him and provided feedback but i turned down the opportunity to coach him for IM wales. He went away and a year later swam 1:10 at wales. He then asked me to coach him for a2A which i accepted and a year later he swam the channel in 15:22 and complete A2A . Impressive chap…
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Imtalk is asking for what people’s epic triathlon would be - arch to arc was the first thing that sprang to mind, but it take a couple of days doesn’t it? If you make it at all
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This was an enjoyable watch. 2000km Morocco to Monaco. Nuts but enjoyable
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There’s a lot to go awry doing A2A; mainly once you get to the coast!
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Yes, the account from Hillwall was quite engrossing.
Looks like you have a ten day window to finish, and the record is 49hrs+mins, with two days to get into the water.
That’s mad. I just can’t imagine how shagged Id be as I waded into the inky darkness. 
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So, my chap with a running injury:
87 mile run: 19:30
21 mile swim: 15:22
180 mile cycle: 15:33
he was the 43rd finisher…
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I think I was just so nervous/excited about getting in the water I couldn’t tell if I was tired at all. And all I could think about was how cold the water was (12.5C) and how choppy the sea was.
Plus I started the swim at midnight so it was dark apart from a few people on the beach sending me on my way.
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Nutcase.
