A Chelmsford father who completed a special triathlon dedicated his personal triumph in honour of his sick daughter.

Ivan Newman, 51, reached Paris after running, swimming and cycling his way to the French capital in 98 and a half hours. He is only the third person and the eldest triathlete to finish the Enduroman Arch to Arc Challenge from London's Marble Arch to Paris' Arc de Triomphe.

Mr Newman was inspired by his sick daughter Liz, 22, who suffers from Oral Allergy Syndrome, an incurable illness which can leave her unconscious if she eats certain types of food. Only adrenalin injections can stop Liz from dying once she gets an allergic reaction.

Mr Newman's triumph meant he raised £7,000 for two charities, Allergy UK and Anaphylaxis Campaign, who have supported Liz throughout her illness.

Reflecting on his success, he said: 'The first thing that came to my mind when I reached the Arc de Triomphe was 'Yes! I've done it!' I then did a lap of honour round the Arc. It was a fantastic feeling.'

Mr Newman, who lives with his wife Viv at Spenlow Drive, ran 87 miles from London's Marble Arch to Dover, swam 22 miles from Dover to Calais and cycled 180 miles from Calais to Paris' Arc de Triomphe. He was the only person to compete in the event, lasting five days from September 3 to 7.

Mr Newman battled through many problems during the triathlon. He said: 'My feet were painfully swollen with blisters during my run and I was sea sick three times whilst swimming to Calais. I was also terrified of the French drivers who overtook me on the road whilst I was cycling to Paris. I feared for my life.'

Mr Newman, head of internal services at Reuters in London, now hopes compete in next year's Triathlon World Championships for Great Britain and plans to write a book about his daughter's illness.

Published Friday September 10, 2004

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