Search
shop

Triathlete, inspired by Rob Burrow, achieves the ‘Impossible’ to raise money for fight against MND

Martyn Clarke completed "Triathlon Impossible" to aid the fight against MND
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Martyn Clarke has completed his ‘Triathlon Impossible’ challenge – which covered more than 800 miles of swimming, biking and running across five European nations – to raise money for four Motor Neurone Disease charities.

Inspired chiefly by former rugby league star Rob Burrow, who is battling MND, Martyn mapped out an audacious trip to raise funds to fight the terrible illness.

He started with a 7km lake swim in Germany, before cycling over 700 miles through Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Great Britain.

Finishing with a ultramarathon from Leeds to Leigh Sports Village, Clarke’s fundraiser is still going – with donations split between Leeds Hospitals Charity, Motor Neurone Disease Association, The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation and My Name’s Doddie Foundation.

The Stages of Triathlon ‘Impossible’

Broken down into seven stages, Martyn started the challenge in Lake Waldsee, Frankfurt. There, he completed the first leg of the challenge, a 7km swim, before jumping on his bike to complete the first section of the ride, a 193km ride north to the City of Bonn.

Route Triathlon Impossible
Triathlon Impossible 2023 – The Stages

Having been joined by GB Paralympian Ian Marsden from the start of the bike leg, who was hand cycling the route, Clarke was in good company and was joined by a mix of supporters throughout his trip, including work colleagues, friends and professional athletes.

Starting the second stage, the team cycled west, all whilst dealing with ferocious headwinds, through the Netherlands to the Belgian city of Hasselt, a distance of 167km. Stage three was just as brutal, as Clarke forged onwards to Calais with a 215km ride to Brugge as he tackled some of the most famous roads in cycling.

Onwards to day four and the next stage, the team cycled 196km, making it to Calais and then crossing over the channel on to home soil, where they made it up through Ashton and Maidstone to arrive in Sevenoaks.

Continuing northbound, the group took in landmarks such as Wembley Stadium and the Oval Cricket Ground as they pedalled an incredible 228km to the Leicester Tigers Stadium, the longest day of the challenge now behind them.

Stage six, the last day of cycling, took the crew to Leeds, with Clarke finishing the 181km stage to the Leeds Rhinos stadium knowing that the next day was the final push. Running on very little sleep, the Brit departed at 3am to set out on the final 92km run.

Passing iconic football grounds such as Elland Road and The Etihad, Clarke made it from Leeds through central Manchester to arrive at Leigh Stadium with minutes to spare, completing the longest ever attempted triathlon for Motor Neurone Disease in front of a crowd at the Leigh Leopards v Hull KR Super League clash.

Fundraising Efforts

Martyn is still looking to raise more money despite now reaching his target goal of £17,777 for Motor Neurone Disease charities, with money going to Leeds Hospitals Charity, Motor Neurone Disease Association, The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation and My Name’s Doddie Foundation.

Martyn Clarke "Triathlon Impossible 2023".
Photo Credit – Martyn Clarke.

Later this week, we will hear more from Clarke on his incredible challenge, including the inspiration for taking on such an audacious feat of endurance, the highs and lows from the trip itself and why raising money for the four charities is so important to him.

With fundraising ongoing, donations can be made by clicking here.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Sam Laidlow joy Challenge Roth win 2025
Challenge Roth hero Sam Laidlow thought he was in front for HOURS before taking lead
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
Challenge Roth 2025 men’s results: INCREDIBLE comeback win for Sam Laidlow
Laura Philipp celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
Challenge Roth 2025 women’s results: World Champion Laura Philipp a class apart
Sam Laidlow Challenge Roth run 2025
WATCH AGAIN: Challenge Roth 2025 as Philipp and Laidlow take centre stage
Julie Derron wins T100 San Francisco 2025
Olympic medallist and T100 winner reveals she’s stepping up to full distance next
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...