inov-8 Challenge Series Launches with Mark Bayliss Tackling the Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathlon
28.06.2012
inov-8TM today, Thursday 21st June, announces the launch of the inov-8TM Challenge Series – a campaign that will see committed athletes take on some of the toughest challenges in the world. The first challenge in the series will take place in September 2012 with Mark Bayliss undertaking the ultimate triathlon - the Enduroman Arch to Arc.
The Enduroman Arch to Arc triathlon involves a grueling 87 mile run from Marble Arch in London to Dover, followed by a Channel swim from Dover to Calais, finishing with an epic 181 mile bike ride from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. In a world first, Mark Bayliss will attempt to become the only athlete to complete the Enduroman Arch to Arc challenge without the use of a wetsuit for the Channel swim.
Taking the wetsuit out of the equation, after such a long run, Mark will face a physiological challenge that none of the previous nine Arch to Arc competitors have had to endure.
Dr James Carter, UK Head of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, who has been helping Mark prepare a nutrition plan for the challenge said: ““Mark will have two additional challenges to deal with when swimming the Channel without a wetsuit. Firstly, his energy requirements will be increased because he will have to work harder to stay afloat; secondly, temperature regulation, namely preventing too great a drop in body temperature, will be made more difficult. Mark will feel colder and he will also lose heat quicker without the insulating properties of the wet suit. Previous competitors have worn a wet suit and this additional buoyancy and insulation would have helped conserve energy, maintain body temperature and, therefore, increased their chances of success”.
In preparation of the event, Mark is undertaking a gruelling training regime where he will cover 3,000 kilometres running, 15,000 kilometres cycling and 2,000 kilometres swimming. Mark has already tackled some monumentally tough events which include the Jurassic Coast Challenge (78.6 mile run over three days), Human Race open water swim (10 kilometres) and a 200 mile bike ride.
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