By Isle of Wight Observer
While many of us were relaxing over the bank holiday weekend, IT director and endurance athlete, Matthew Dawson, took on an extraordinary challenge – the first recorded back-to-back triathlon around the Isle of Wight. Covering a total distance of 312km (194 miles) in 73 hours and 20 minutes, the feat included a non-stop swim, cycle, then run around the Island’s coastline.
Supported by his safety team, wife, Melissa, and two children, Matthew began his challenge on Sunday from Seaview Yacht Club, with a gruelling 27-hour swim around the Island, battling rough seas and pushing through the night after the tide turned against him. The setback added six hours to his planned time, most of which was spent in Luccombe Bay near Shanklin, failing to make any progress and being pushed by the tide onto the rocks as he navigated the water in complete darkness.
Immediately switching to his bike, he completed the second loop of the route, before lacing up his running shoes at 2am on Tuesday to tackle the final leg on foot. He crossed the Seaview finish line at 10.20am on Tuesday, exhausted but triumphant.
The extreme challenge was in aid of Access Sport, a UK charity helping disadvantaged and disabled children access community sport. Matthew, now a trustee of the charity, has raised thousands through previous extreme efforts – including a solo English Channel swim and a non-stop swim of 17 Lake District lakes.
