Story
Rhino Arch to Arc has a fair claim on the title, the world's ultimate team endurance challenge.
A team of six will run 87 miles in relay, in rhino costumes, from Marble Arch to Dover; from there they will swim 22 miles in relay across the English Channel; on arrival in France, the third and final section of the challenge consists of a mere 180-mile cycle ride to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. All team members must finish the challenge together. No team has ever completed such a feat; the Rhino Arch to Arc team will pioneer this incredible team challenge.
The challenge is expected to take in the region of 48 hours. However, there is a wide target for the start / completion dates due to the vagaries of the conditions in the English Channel. The challenge will start when the best possible conditions are forecast in the Straights of Dover - fingers crossed the forecast will hold in the time it takes the rhino runners to reach the coast!
The challenge serves three purposes:
1) To raise £50,000 for wildlife and community conservation initiatives in Africa and Asia;
2) To raise the profile of Save the Rhino International, Europe's leading rhino conservation organisation;
3) To prove an event concept that will form the basis of a larger multi-team challenge for future years.
The team: Bryan Hemmings - team leader and long-standing Save the Rhino supporter, Bryan's a veteran of two Marathon des Sables, including one as part of the first team to complete the race in costume (rhino costume), a successful, relay, channel swim crossing and his vast military and leadership experience will no doubt prove invaluable. Adrian Moorhouse - since his Olympic success, Adrian has trained for a channel swim attempt and has been a regular participant in triathlons and well as running his own successful management consultancy. Greg Robinson - Greg provides the team further military determination and will to succeed as well as the experience of completing the Marathon des Sables. Steve Beck - ex-Royal Engineers, Steve has recently completed his first ironman triathlon, as well as a 24-hour sponsored swim. Vincent O'Neill - Met Bryan at Aldershot Military Base and together they have shared many laughs parachuting; going on bike trips; playing rugby; as well as military business in UK, Africa and the US. No triathlon/marathon experience. Mark Gittins - a colleague of fellow team member Adrian Moorhouse, Mark is the final addition to the Arch to Arc team. Mark has completed the London Marathon, numerous triathlons, half-ironman distance triathlons and he is currently training for a full ironman. He is also the youngest member of the team at 25 years old.
A team of six will run 87 miles in relay, in rhino costumes, from Marble Arch to Dover; from there they will swim 22 miles in relay across the English Channel; on arrival in France, the third and final section of the challenge consists of a mere 180-mile cycle ride to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. All team members must finish the challenge together. No team has ever completed such a feat; the Rhino Arch to Arc team will pioneer this incredible team challenge.
The challenge is expected to take in the region of 48 hours. However, there is a wide target for the start / completion dates due to the vagaries of the conditions in the English Channel. The challenge will start when the best possible conditions are forecast in the Straights of Dover - fingers crossed the forecast will hold in the time it takes the rhino runners to reach the coast!
The challenge serves three purposes:
1) To raise £50,000 for wildlife and community conservation initiatives in Africa and Asia;
2) To raise the profile of Save the Rhino International, Europe's leading rhino conservation organisation;
3) To prove an event concept that will form the basis of a larger multi-team challenge for future years.
The team: Bryan Hemmings - team leader and long-standing Save the Rhino supporter, Bryan's a veteran of two Marathon des Sables, including one as part of the first team to complete the race in costume (rhino costume), a successful, relay, channel swim crossing and his vast military and leadership experience will no doubt prove invaluable. Adrian Moorhouse - since his Olympic success, Adrian has trained for a channel swim attempt and has been a regular participant in triathlons and well as running his own successful management consultancy. Greg Robinson - Greg provides the team further military determination and will to succeed as well as the experience of completing the Marathon des Sables. Steve Beck - ex-Royal Engineers, Steve has recently completed his first ironman triathlon, as well as a 24-hour sponsored swim. Vincent O'Neill - Met Bryan at Aldershot Military Base and together they have shared many laughs parachuting; going on bike trips; playing rugby; as well as military business in UK, Africa and the US. No triathlon/marathon experience. Mark Gittins - a colleague of fellow team member Adrian Moorhouse, Mark is the final addition to the Arch to Arc team. Mark has completed the London Marathon, numerous triathlons, half-ironman distance triathlons and he is currently training for a full ironman. He is also the youngest member of the team at 25 years old.