Arch to Arc Challenge

Rob / 27.08.2003

Leicestershire-based racer Andy Mouncey is a few weeks away from attempting to become only the second person ever to make a solo crossing between Marble Arch in London and L’Arc de Triumphe in Paris.

Between Sept 17th – 23rd he will be running 87 miles from the centre of London to the Dover coast, then swimming 22 miles across the English Channel, and finally cycling 180 miles from Calais to the centre of Paris.

Triathletes first tackled the London to Paris challenge back in the 1980’s, but always as a team relay. The first and only solo crossing was completed in 2001 by Dorset-based Eddie Ette in a shade over 80 hours – which deservedly put Eddie into the Guinness Book of Records. That has inspired Mouncey and he’s been trained and prepared for his attempt by Eddie’s ‘Enduroman’ team, which organises extreme triathlons. They’ve been working hard on his training for the swim.

Asked why Mouncy said, “Because it’s there, and more than a little scary ...! It is a huge personal challenge, but it also includes many aspects of my professional life as a personal coach.” He runs his own business called ‘The Coach Company’ to help people in all walks of life achieve their own goals.

“In my line of work, there are plenty of people who talk a great performance,” commented Andy. ”I believe what sets the real quality apart are those who live and breathe it too. For me, this is simply a way I’ve chosen to express who I am and what I stand for. Sure, it’s a massive mental and physical test, probably the biggest I’ve faced since deciding to go self-employed, but it will be fun to try!”

Mouncey feels the key will be the swim. Athletes are usually quite slim and he is no exception – which is not exactly the build you need for open water swimming. He will wear a special wetsuit, but it will be the cold water of the Channel which he feels will be the deciding factor.

“It’s quite simple,” he says ”I have to learn how to swim in cold water for a long period of time, and the only way to get better at this is to practice. I am already starting to love my hot water-bottle ...\"

You can read more, including Mouncey’s training diary on his company website here (which has a strangely familiar logo) and on the Enduroman site here.