Ex-soldier Chris Borrowdale conquers Ironman

A former soldier from Barnard Castle is an “Ironman”.

Chris Borrowdale trained for two years in preparation for a challenge that is regarded as one of the toughest on the planet.

In fact, only 0.005 per cent of the world’s population has ever completed an ironman, which involves a 2.4-mile swim straight into a 112-mile bike ride before finishing off with a complete marathon (26.2 miles).

Chris, 37, now lives in Middleton St George but he was raised in Barnard Castle and his family and many friends live in the town.

He teaches bike mechanics in Darlington and completed a half-ironman in Belgium last year.

The former Royal Engineer finished the Tours Ironman, in the Loire Valley, France, and raised £1,118 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service in doing so.

“When I signed up for this race I had never competed in a triathlon and never swam, biked or ran that distance,” he admitted.

“It has been a two-year journey to even get to the start line and there are far too many people who have helped me, trained with me and given me support to name.

“To those people, all I can say is thank you. Thank you everyone who has donated and helped me achieve this crazy midlife crisis of mine.”

Chris set a target of completing the entire ironman in 15 hours but, due to the intense heat – the temperature was in the high 30s at one stage of the race – he finished in a still incredibly impressive 15hrs 28mins 40secs.

“The day starts at 6.30am with a 2.4mile swim in the River Cher where, fortunately, I only got kicked in the head a couple of times!” said Chris, who was supported on the day by his parents Fiona and Tony Borrowdale.

“Running from the river to transition to the bike was crazy as there were thousands of people, including my parents, cheering.

“The bike race through the stunning French countryside started well but, as the miles ticked off the temperature rose into the 30s.

“Pulling back into the city after 112 miles the endorphins spiked as someone shouted, ‘That’s two down, Allez allez allez!’.

“Then, leaving transition in my running trainers, the reality set in as I saw someone holding a sign stating, ‘Just a marathon to go’.

“The temperature, by then sitting mid-to-high 30s, was the killer but with every step I was closer to the finish.

“At the halfway point the blisters started and my feet were on fire! As I set off on the last lap I could barely walk let alone run but as the sun started to go down something clicked and I realised I was going to finish!

“Approaching the last 200m the crowds were screaming and I started to tear up.

“Turning the last corner I ran down the red carpet, the pain forgotten, my parents cheering! As I crossed the finish line, I finally heard the six words I had been dreaming of for two years, ‘Chris Borrowdale, you are an ironman’.”