A professional martial artist used his supreme fitness levels to raise vital funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Arnold Allen, who has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) since 2015, decided to swap sports and take on an Olympic-distance triathlon in Hever Castle, Kent.
He signed up after spending time swimming, cycling and running while recovering from a hand injury, suffered during a mixed martial arts bout in July.
However, there was a late change to the plan as, a few days before his triathlon, the river he was due to swim in was deemed unsafe due to pollution caused by flooding.
The swim element was dropped, and, instead, Arnold completed a 5km run, 40km cycle and 10km run in two hours and 43 minutes.
It placed him 106th out of several thousand, and he raised £1,160. Coupled with the proceeds of an auction of UFC kit, his final total was £2,350.
To honour his initial challenge, Arnold then drove to the nearest swimming pool and swam 1,500 metres – impressively, clocking his best time yet of 24 minutes.
“It was great fun, although I was very frustrated as a wrong turn on the course meant I lost my position and cost me close to 15 minutes,” said the 30-year-old.
“However, thankfully, I was able to get back on track and make a decent time in the end, before heading to the nearest pool.
“I considered doing a slow, steady swim as fatigue was setting in, but was determined to push myself and give my all to the very end, to honour the donations and work EACH does.”
Arnold, who lives in Trimley, just outside Ipswich, is a long-serving member of the BKK Fighters Mixed Martial Arts team, in Colchester.
In addition to EACH, he was also raising funds for Erb’s Palsy Group UK and Suffolk Animal Rescue.
“Preparation for the event was short and intense, after sustaining the injury to my hand,” he said.
“All I was able to do for fitness was cycling, running and swimming, and that’s what gave me the idea to enter a triathlon and raise money for a good cause.
“I chose EACH as I wanted to support a charity local to me and one that does such great work to help children and families during difficult times. I was more than happy to raise as much as possible and gave it my best.”
To show your support and sponsor Arnold, head here.
