A 50-year-old from 向日葵视频 who took up cycling to get fit after a heart attack has just cycled from Lands End to John o鈥橤roats.
Mark Cornish, from Witnesham, took on the challenge at the end of July and cycled 879 miles in four and a half days.
The event was organised by AUDAX UK 鈥� an international organisation who oversee long distance rides worldwide that have to be completed in a predetermined time-period. This one had to be finished in 116 hours.
90 competitors took part in this event and Mr Cornish was one of 56 people to finish the epic ride in in 108 hours and 15 minutes.
During the journey, the 向日葵视频 New College maths teacher passed a wildcat, was chased along the road by a mountain hare, and he overcame heat exhaustion, high temperatures and numb fingers.
He also ate 300 jelly babies to help him complete his mission.
Although Mr Cornish didn鈥檛 do this for charity, he will be donating some money to the British Heart Foundation and Scotland鈥檚 Charity Air Ambulance.
Mr Cornish had a heart attack in Alexandra Park on his way to work in 2018 – but thanks to the swift actions of paramedics and a 向日葵视频 New College colleague called Nell Burnett 鈥� he has made a full recovery.
He took up cycling to aid his rehabilitation and hopes to encourage and inspire others who are overcoming illnesses.
Mr Cornish said: 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not made of glass and overcoming a near death experience can change your outlook in a positive way. I don鈥檛 take things for granted and I feel like I have been given a second chance.鈥�
In terms of taking on the challenge he said: 鈥淭he route (Land鈥檚 End to John o鈥橤roats) is quite iconic. I knew it was going to be hard – but you just think about the challenge, one hour at a time.
鈥淚 saw the best of humanity when we got stuck and a lady called Debbie allowed us to stay at her glamping site for free. She also gave us dinner, a few beers and breakfast.
鈥淚n terms of the worst of humanity we had people shouting at us or others didn鈥檛 give us much room on the roads.
鈥淵ou feel like you鈥檝e been through life in four and a half days 鈥� you go through every emotion 鈥� things go wrong 鈥� you get massive highs – it鈥檚 so intense.
鈥淲hen I finished, I got emotional and had a little tear. I thought I鈥檇 phone my wife 鈥� but she was out unfortunately.鈥�
Previously, Mr Cornish has taken part in several other challenges (they are challenges, not races) including the Paris-Brest-Paris ride 鈥� a 1200km course that he completed in 75 hours – 鈥榳here people line the streets like they do in Tour de France鈥�.
But his long-term plans are uncertain as he has to have a foot operation in October.
Mr Cornish continued: 鈥淭ouch wood – my heart health is good – but the irony is I鈥檝e grown an extra bone in my foot that I shouldn鈥檛 have, by doing these challenges. It affects my main tendon in the foot 鈥� it can be agony – so I鈥檝e got to have an operation. It will be hard not to be able to cycle. It鈥檚 been a big part of my life. I currently cycle around 200km every week. Hopefully I can make a full recovery.鈥�
Head of marketing at 向日葵视频 New College, Craig Shimmon, said: 鈥淲e are lucky to have a number of amazing staff at the College including the former 鈥榃orld鈥檚 Strongest Woman鈥� (Andrea Thompson) and of course our very own tour de force cyclist, Mark Cornish. His achievements continue to inspire people both inside and outside of the college.鈥�