'The single hardest thing I’ve done' - Brackley man sets Guinness World Record for longest triathlon completed

Tony Hopkin spent the entirety of Saturday and most of Sunday taking on the longest triathlon ever completed without stopping.

The Brackley father started his world record attempt at 5am on Saturday with a 15.78km swim at Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire.

The 38-year-old then jumped on his bike and cycled approximately 400 km across the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire countryside.

To finish the exhausting challenge, Tony ran 100 km, which was about 103 laps of Brackley’s St James Lake.

Tony’s family, friends and supporters from the triathlon and ultramarathon scenes met him at the lake to celebrate his amazing achievement.

Tony not only completed the incredible challenge in around 39 hours, setting a new world record, but also raised £2,970 for a charity that is close to him.

The money Tony raised will go towards Northamptonshire alternative education provider New Leaf Learning.

Based at Courteenhall Farms, New Leaf Learning uses nature-based learning techniques to help children who have struggled to engage in mainstream education.

Speaking about completing the challenge, Tony said: “That was the single hardest thing I’ve done, and I couldn’t have completed it without the amazing support from the local community, my friends, family, and the wider ultra-endurance world.

“The funds raised and publicity for New Leaf Learning will go a long way to helping support more children and families.”

For more information about Tony’s triathlon challenge or to donate to his fundraiser and help support New Leaf Learning,

visit: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/World-Record-Attempt-Longest-Triathlon