Mark proves a real iron man (From Wharfedale Observer)

Mark proves a real iron man

1:06pm Thursday 7th August 2008

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Rawdon athlete Mark Dowell is officially an Iron Man after a gruelling feat of endurance in Zurich saw him complete a swim of 2.4 miles, a bike race of 112 miles and a run of 26.2 miles in 12 hours 8 minutes.

The Leeds and Bradford Triathlon Club member said after his amazing feat: "The swim went well and I exited the water after 1hr 23min and in 1,656th position.

"The bike course included 5,000 feet of climbs. Over the 112 miles I pulled back 374 places to finish the ride in 1,282nd position. Some of the climbs made you feel like a Tour de France rider, with hundreds of people creating a corridor on both sides of the road."

Not surprisingly, Dowell found the final running stage the toughest. He said: "I ran well for two laps (13 miles) but by the last lap it was tough going.

"Every muscle in my legs was screaming at me to stop and, after being on the go for 12 hours, your mind starts to agree with them too.

"Although I had felt slow on the run, I had still made up another 206 places to finish 1,076 overall, having burnt off 10,500 calories!"

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