Steve Haywood Tuesday 21st Aug 2007 -
A2A Race Report by Eddie Ette

The second 2007 athlete to complete the Solo Enduroman Arch to Arc

Prior to start on Friday 17th August, Steve had many stressful days waiting as the run was delayed due to the weather.

The decision, was taken to start the run and get to the coast, so that the swim could be started as soon as a weather window materialised. The run started at 15.11 on Tuesday 21/8/07 with the intention to swim on Thursday morning.

The run went exactly according to plan with short stops for food and leg massages all the way down. Steve arrived in Dover at 10.05am on Wed 22/8/07 giving him a running time of 18 hours 54 mins and more importantly a long rest before the swim start.  (Steve was the first A2A athlete to run ALL 87 miles).

As the day went on the planned swim time on Thursday morning was clearly not going to happen, the sea was rough and the wind still strong. I contacted the boat skipper who agreed to meet at mid-day to look at the evening swim. That too was blown out . The bad news was given to Steve, who took it well as now he had no chance of beating the record.

Friday 24/8/07 swim started 07.51. There was still a breeze but it was from the north and was due to drop. Steve entered the water from Shakespeare beach and swam at a controlled pace until asked to do otherwise. Due to position and tide flow, Steve was forced to pick up the pace at the end of the swim. He landed on Cape Griz Nez 11.54 pm in a swim time of 16 hours 02 mins 53 secs.

The cycle to Paris started 8hrs 51 mins after the swim finish, at least two hours of that were sat in the back of the boat getting to Calais port. After a short sleep and some food a tremendous cycle ride saw Steve finishing at the Arc de Triomphe at midnight on 25/8/07 in 15hours 15min

Steve's total time for Arch to Arc was 103 hours 48 mins taking into account rest needed and forced stops, due to weather etc. Steve Haywood showed exceptional character and inner strength during the Enduroman Arch to Arc. He is now an Enduroman and a friend.

Times: Run: 18 54, Rest: 44.46 Swim: 16.02.53 Rest: 08.51 Cycle: 15.15
Total: 103.48.53