Try to the Final Challenge

Congratulations and thank you to the twelve brilliant friends and ex-playing colleagues of Scottish rugby legends Doddie Weir and our former ambassador Tom Smith who have achieved their goal of swimming, running, rowing and cycling from London to Paris in just five days in support of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and 40tude.

The twelve athletes who took on this massive challenge are Budge Pountney, Allan Bateman, Paddy Johns, Stuart Reid, Jon Philips, Mark Soden, Scott Otten, Laurence Denvir, Stuart Thom, Luke Ryan, Tony Clare and Liz O'Connor.

They swam 5.1 km at daybreak in the outdoor London Fields Lido, before running 75 miles to Dover in torrential rain. Next they each rowed 42 kilometres, before cycling the remaining 180 miles to Paris, all the while raising awareness and funds to help cure colon cancer and MND.

Wishing the team luck at the start of their challenge, 40tude's ambassador Gregor Townsend said, "This will require resilience, togetherness and good humour to make it from London to Paris. I'm sure it will be memorable and good fun! The two charities - 40tude and My Name'5 Doddie Foundation - are ones close to my heart and are two very worthy causes."

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Try to the Final team along the way and made a donation on their fundraising page.

There's still time if you'd like to congratulate them on their fantastic achievement: you can do so here:

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Day 1:

The day started early with a 5,100 metre swim in the London Fields Lido at daybreak! The team then set off on the first leg of their run to Dover, covering today from the Cutty Sark to Gillingham.

Photo credit: Andy Brodziak

Day 2:

The team completed another long day of running, clocking up the remaining 45 miles to Dover. The torrential rain for the first 10 miles didn't dampen their spirits however!

Day 3:

The outdoor row across the Channel couldn't happen so each member of the team rowed an epic 25 miles (42 kilometres) at Anytime Fitness - well done team!

Next was a hop over to Calais - on this occasion allowing the ferry to take the strain - ahead of the start of their 180 mile cycle to Paris.

Day 4:

"It’s official… The group decided today that we do not enjoy cycling..in torrential rain for most of it, puncture stops, and some off road detours!! said Stuart Thom, who has helmed the organisation of this challenge.

"But it’s all part of day 4 of the “try” to the final as we cycle from Calais to Paris..

The team have had a long 4 days.. the latest start to our day was today and that was 7.30am, after 6.30, 7am and 6am starts the previous three days..

Please donate if you can, to help the team achieve our target of £66,666..

Remember the event is London to Paris, swimming 5k, running 75 miles, rowing 42,000 metres and cycling 180 miles.. individually they would be some achievement but in 5 days is bonkers.."

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fun.../the-try-to-the-final

Day 5:

The team reach their goal! Well done to everyone in the team, and thank you to everyone who has donated on their fundraising page, and supported them on their mammoth challenge. We are very proud of Stuart, Budge, Allan, Paddy, Stuart R, Jon, Mark, Scott, Laurence, Luke, Tony and Liz!