'Gutted' Royal Navy veteran cancels epic 11-day marathon bid two days short after developing coronavirus symptoms

Determined Dan Fallon set off on the gargantuan challenge on Remembrance Sunday, notching up his first 26.2 miles on a SkiErg machine.

But last night the retired Royal Navy physical training instructor was forced to cancel the final two marathons after developing coronavirus symptoms.

The devastated 37-year-old, whose household is now in lockdown while he awaits test results, said: ‘I can’t believe it. I’m gutted. It’s been so disruptive but it would have been irresponsible for me to continue.’

Dan added his mother, who is staying with him in his Gibraltar Road home in Eastney, had also developed symptoms – which included a loss of smell and taste and a fever.

The cancellation came after Dan recorded his fastest time on the SkiErg machine, which replicates the movement required in Nordic skiing.

In a remarkable effort, Dan managed to pump his way across the finishing line in a stunning 2hrs 59mins 29sec – the sixth fastest time in the world this year.

‘I’m wounded about not being able to do the last two days, especially after going under two hours for the first time,’ added dad-of-one Dan.

‘I started really long and strong rather than fast and I felt like I could hold that pace but the last 6km was tough.’

Dan’s epic challenge, undertaken at Renegades Gym in Copnor which he runs, was in aid of the Royal British Legion.

During the nine days he managed to burn more than 22,500 calories and pulled himself a whopping 379.76km (almost 236 miles).

And Dan also managed to obliterate his original goal of raising £300, with more than 120 people donating – taking his sum to an impressive £3,135.

‘The support has been absolutely brilliant, some of the donations have been very, very generous,’ he added. ‘Some people have donated £100 and £200. It’s been exceptional.’

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Although concerns over coronavirus may have curtailed Dan’s 11-day fundraising epic, the former navy man has vowed to complete the last two marathons – in the only way he knew best.

‘I’m going to go for the world record of the fastest 100km on a SkiErg in March; that’s doing two marathons non-stop and then another 16km on top of that,’ he said.

Donations for Dan’s last fundraiser are still open and can be made by visiting: justgiving.com/fundraising/daniel-fallon11marathonsontheskiergin11days

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