The Enduroman Arch to Arc is billed as the hardest triathlon in the world. The ultra-distance challenge comprises an 87-mile run from Marble Arch in London to Dover, a swim across the Channel to Calais (shortest distance 21 miles), finishing with a 181-mile bike ride to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Paul Parrish, 49, a recovering alcoholic from Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire, is the oldest man to have completed the event, and one of only 17 people who have ever done so. His time of 84 hours and 44 minutes is the sixth fastest on record.

Arch to Arc Triathlon
Paul Parrish warms himself after an open water training session in Bray for his Arch to Arc triathlon attempt Neil Hall/Reuters

Reuters photographer Neil Hall accompanied him during his pre-race training sessions and along the gruelling triathlon.

Arch to Arc Triathlon
Paul Parrish poses for a portrait during a training session for his Arch to Arc triathlon attempt in Bray Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish swims in a pool during a training session in Hertfordshire Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish attends an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in St Albans Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
A member of Parrish's support team applies grease to his skin as he joins Channel swimmers during a training session for his Arch to Arc triathlon attempt in Dover Neil Hall/Reuters

Parrish set off from Marble Arch at 8pm on Saturday 13 September, and arrived in Dover 21 hours 55 minutes later.

He began his swim across the English Channel at midday on Monday 15 September, and arrived in Wissant at 5.25am on Tuesday after swimming for 17 hours and 25 minutes.

At 1pm he set off on the 180-mile cycle ride to Paris. He arrived at the Arc de Triomphe on Wednesday September 17, after cycling for 20 hours and 44 minutes.

Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish runs in London at the start of his Arch to Arc challenge Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish has a meal break in south London during his run Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish is pictured in Kent during the run section of the Arch to Arc Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish is warmed by a member of his support team after finishing the run section of his Arch to Arc triathlon in Dover Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish swims in the English Channel Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Members of Parrish's support team throw him a drink attached to a rope during a meal break in the Channel Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
A passenger ferry passes Parrish as he takes part in the Arch to Arc triathlon in the Channel Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish looks at a printout of his progress aboard the support boat after completing his swim Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish cycles in northern France Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish stops for a toilet break during the cycle section in northern France Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish takes a sleep break in the support vehicle during the cycle section of the Arch to Arc triathlon Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish cycles in Paris as he approaches the end of the Arch to Arc Neil Hall/Reuters
Arch to Arc Triathlon
Parrish celebrates at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris after finishing his Arch to Arc triathlon Neil Hall/Reuters

Parrish is director of fundraising and marketing for Aspire, a charity providing support to people with spinal injuries. By taking part in the Arch to Arc, he has raised nearly £20,000 for the charity so far through his JustGiving page.

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