Latest news with #TonyHopkin
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Brackley man's 38-hour triathlon confirmed as world record
A dad's triathlon where he ran, swam and cycled the equivalent distance of 516km (321 miles) in just over 38 hours has been confirmed as a Guinness World Hopkin, from Brackley in Northamptonshire, ran 100 one-kilometre laps (62 miles) of the town's St James Lake, swam nearly 16km (10 miles) at Pitsford Reservoir and cycled just over 400km (249 miles).His effort has raised more than £6,100 for a local education charity that has helped his autistic son."The triathlon was going OK until 50km into the run – then my feet became one very large blister. I don't know how I carried on. I think I blocked it out," he said. Mr Hopkin was tracked by GPS watches and bike computers, and filmed at every point while timekeepers logged his activities and "independent witnesses" observed the whole to the official world record listing his distance for "longest single-event triathlon (male)" was 515.91km, breaking the previous record of 407.4km. He is still receiving donations for his effort which will go to Northampton-based New Leaf Learning, which supports one of his children."They help children with special educational needs who have experienced trauma to engage in education," he Hopkin said the charity helped his son, who is autistic and had struggled with mainstream education."His school has a relationship with New Leaf Learning, and he was fortunate enough to go there for six weeks where he learnt nature-based coping mechanisms to build teamwork and help him cope with stress," said Mr record holder said he may attempt another triathlon of a similar distance, but he "wouldn't do that one again; I might do a different route though". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man runs, cycles and swims in 38-hour record bid
A dad hopes he has set a new world record after he ran, swam and cycled the equivalent distance of 516km (321 miles) in just over 38 hours. Tony Hopkin from Brackley, Northamptonshire ran 100 laps of his local lake, swam nearly 16km (10 miles) at Pitsford Reservoir and cycled just over 400km (249 miles). Advertisement His attempt to break the current record of 407.4km (253.1 miles) for the longest single-event triathlon also raised £5,830 for a local education charity. He should find out if he has officially taken the title within about six months, once Guinness World Records has assessed his claim. Tony Hopkin said at times the lack of sleep during the challenge caused him to hallucinate [Amo Panesar] Mr Hopkin was tracked by GPS watches and bike computers, and filmed at every point while timekeepers logged his activities and "independent witnesses" observed the whole thing. Speaking about the running element, he said: "I kept going the same way, so I now have probably got one leg shorter than the other." Advertisement He was allowed brief, five-minute stops as long as it kept "within the spirit of the competition," he explained. "So I couldn't stop for five minutes, ride for a minute and then stop for another five, it had to be a decent distance in between." Mr Hopkin, who only started doing triathlons two years ago, said not sleeping was the hardest part and at some points he felt like he was hallucinating. Tony Hopkin raised more than £5,000 for a children's education charity by carrying out the challenge [Stuart Hacker] The triathlete decided to also use the event to raise money for Northampton-based New Leaf Learning, which supports one of his children. It offers a nature-based, connection-focused provision for children who are not currently engaging in learning in mainstream schools. Advertisement "They give them strategies to cope with everyday life and also engage with education," he said. His added his priorities now were catching up on sleep and spending time with his children. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More local stories Related internet links
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Brackley dad attempts to smash longest single event triathlon
A dad hopes he has set a new world record after he ran, swam and cycled the equivalent distance of 516km (321 miles) in just over 38 hours. Tony Hopkin from Brackley, Northamptonshire ran 100 laps of his local lake, swam nearly 16km (10 miles) at Pitsford Reservoir and cycled just over 400km (249 miles).His attempt to break the current record of 407.4km (253.1 miles) for the longest single-event triathlon also raised £5,830 for a local education should find out if he has officially taken the title within about six months, once Guinness World Records has assessed his claim. Mr Hopkin was tracked by GPS watches and bike computers, and filmed at every point while timekeepers logged his activities and "independent witnesses" observed the whole about the running element, he said: "I kept going the same way, so I now have probably got one leg shorter than the other."He was allowed brief, five-minute stops as long as it kept "within the spirit of the competition," he explained."So I couldn't stop for five minutes, ride for a minute and then stop for another five, it had to be a decent distance in between."Mr Hopkin, who only started doing triathlons two years ago, said not sleeping was the hardest part and at some points he felt like he was hallucinating. The triathlete decided to also use the event to raise money for Northampton-based New Leaf Learning, which supports one of his offers a nature-based, connection-focused provision for children who are not currently engaging in learning in mainstream schools."They give them strategies to cope with everyday life and also engage with education," he added his priorities now were catching up on sleep and spending time with his children. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
