Medical student completes gruelling Ironman triathlon around streets of Market Deeping

The challenge is widley considered to be one of the most difficult one day sporting events in the world.

It requires the participant to complete a 2.4 mile (3.86km) swim, 112 mile (180.25km) bicycle ride and a full marathon.

The challenge was originally due to take place in Bolton in July but was cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic but instead of giving up, Peter decided to take to the streets of his home town earlier this month,

He was inspired to take up the challenge after being overwhelmed by the support given to him and his family by Macmillan when his father was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2018.

He managed to beat the illness and Peter had been looking for ways to give back ever since.

He said: “It was a dark time, a really difficult one for the whole family but fortunately, we have come out of the other side and Macmillan were fantastic throughout. I knew I wanted to find some fundraising opportunities.

“I pretty much started from zero. I had done some running before and was fairly confident about that leg but I didn’t even own a bike or a pair of goggles. I trained for 11 months and it was one of the most testing experiences of my life.”

The final year University of Nottingham medical student completed the triathlon after returning home from helping on the coronavrus frontline at Lincoln County Hospital.

He started off with the swim leg at Tallington Lakes, supported by his girlfriend Polly McGrath, before moving onto the cycle around Market Deeping. This was a solo leg, with a loop completed approximately every 30 minutes. Good friend Tom George joined for the marathon, also around the streets of Deeping. His final finishing time was 14 hours 30 minutes.

Peter added: “I want to thank them both for their moral support. Polly is a really strong swimmer who helped me and stopped me going off course. Tom was important in the final few miles of the run. My mind was in a dark place and he helped me through.

“It was an amazing feeling of pride and relief at the line when I was able to give my girlfreind a hug and Tom a high-five.

“The whole process has brought us all closer together as a family but the money raised has been the best bit. I have been pleased and touched by people’s generosity.”

After setting a goal £2000, Peter’s GoFundMe page currently sits closer to £3000 and anyone wishing to donate can do so here.