Athlete dies attempting Arch to Arc Channel Swim

Very sad news to be reporting from the Arch to Arc Challenge as a British athletes dies after falling ill during the Channel swim.
Arch to Arc
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Sad news from an iconic triathlon challenge

Horrible news to be reporting today, via the KentLive website: British endurance athlete Douglas Waymark has died attempting the Arch to Arc Challenge. After becoming unwell during the Channel swim late on Monday evening, he was airlifted to the William Harvey Hospital in Kent and later died.

Doug was a very experienced ultra-endurance athlete, completing many iron-distance events including IRONMAN UK, IRONMAN Wales and The Outlaw. Two years ago he completed the ‘continuous quintuple’ iron-distance at the Enduroman Festival. He has also climbed Everest and many of the world’s highest peaks.

The Arch to Arc Challenge was initiated in 2001 when Edger Ette completed the challenge in 81 hours and 5 minutes. The event comprises of the 87 mile run from Marble Arch to Dover, the Channel swim to the French coast and then the 181 mile cycle from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. More details on the event can be found HERE.

Our sincere condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and club mates of Douglas at this devastating news.

Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.

Lionel Sanders to face Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden at Challenge Xiamen

Best Mirrored and Photochromic Goggles for Bright Open Water 2026

Best Goggles for First Open-Water Swims 2026

Best Smart Swim Goggles 2026 — FORM and the Data Race

Best Men’s Training Jammers Under $60 in 2026

Best Pull Buoys for Triathlon Swim Training 2026

Best Swim Paddles for Triathletes 2026

Best Tempo Trainers and Swim Metronomes 2026

Lionel Sanders to face Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden at Challenge Xiamen

Saudi Arabia T100 postponed as PTO plans men’s pro race in Dubai instead

IRONMAN winner Cameron Main calls 228km backyard ultra ‘hardest thing I’ve ever done’

Noosa Triathlon 2026 results: Swim cancelled before Hauser and Van Coevorden claim titles

WATCH AGAIN: Noosa Triathlon 2026 as Hauser and Van Coevorden prevail

‘How do you do it all?’ Kona star Matthew Marquardt on his remarkable double life

The happiness behind Cassandre Beaugrand’s perfect season – and why there’s more to come

HYROX targets Olympic future as World Triathlon deal brings fitness racing into the fold

Share to...