IRISHMAN GERRY Duffy has won the UK’s first Deca Ironman Challenge after 10 days of gruelling endurance events.
The former chainsmoker, who once weighed 17 stone, crossed the finishing line late on Sunday night, more than 19 accumulated hours ahead of the remaining competitors.
Just three of the 20 entrants completed the race.
The Deca Ironman Challenge is a long-distance triathlon consisting of about 18 hours of swimming, cycling and running every day for 10 days.
Duffy (42), from Mullingar, said: “I’m just grateful to have finished it, and also, I guess, that I don’t have to do it again in the morning.”
The motivational speaker and personal trainer started running in 1995 when he was several stone overweight and smoking 50 cigarettes a day.
Last year he toured every county in Ireland, completing 32 marathons in 32 days, and raised over €500,000 for charity with his running partner Ken Whitelaw.
Duffy was inspired to reduce his weight after seeing a photo of himself which he barely recognised.
He lined up with his competitors every morning last week before 6am to begin a 3.8km (2.4 mile) swim.
On the other side of the lake, they would start a 180km cycle, before beginning, at about 5pm, a full-length marathon of 42km.
Those who were unable to complete the course in 22 hours each day were disqualified.