Royal Navy veteran battles to finish 11 marathons in 11 days using just his arms for Poppy Appeal

COMPLETING a marathon is hard enough. But finishing 11 of them in 11 days – using just your arms – sounds impossible.
Tom Cotterill
By Tom Cotterill
Published 11th Nov 2020, 16:57 BST
Updated 11th Nov 2020, 16:58 BST

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Navy veteran Dan Fallon is aiming to complete 11 marathons io 11 days on the punishing SkiErg fitness machine all to raise cash for the Royal British Legion.Navy veteran Dan Fallon is aiming to complete 11 marathons io 11 days on the punishing SkiErg fitness machine all to raise cash for the Royal British Legion.
Navy veteran Dan Fallon is aiming to complete 11 marathons io 11 days on the punishing SkiErg fitness machine all to raise cash for the Royal British Legion.

But that’s the gargantuan challenge fitness fanatic Dan Fallon has set himself this week as a way of raising cash for military charity the Royal British Legion.

The former Royal Navy physical training instructor, who now runs Renegades Gym, in Copnor, is pushing himself to breaking point each morning to complete 26 miles on a punishing SkiErg machine.

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Navy veteran Dan Fallon pictured tackling one of 11 marathons on the punishing SkiErg fitness machine.Navy veteran Dan Fallon pictured tackling one of 11 marathons on the punishing SkiErg fitness machine.
Navy veteran Dan Fallon pictured tackling one of 11 marathons on the punishing SkiErg fitness machine.
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The piece of fitness tech is widely used by the military to help wounded troops recover after suffering lower limb injuries.

It replicates the movement required in Nordic skiing, forcing people to pump with their arms to rack up the miles.

Determined Dan kick-started his campaign on Remembrance Sunday, smashing out his first marathon, non-stop, in 3hrs 4mins and 38.2sec – the 10th fastest time in the world this year.

He completed his fourth marathon today to mark Armistice day but admitted the effort is beginning to take its toll.

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‘The pain is excruciating. It’s like being in purgatory,’ said Dan, Gibraltar Road, Eastney. ‘I just can’t stop because if I do, the machine will switch off and won’t record my time so I just have to keep going. It’s horrible to be honest.’

The 37-year-old has already burnt through about 10,000 calories, averaging just over three and a half hours to complete each marathon.

His efforts have already made waves in the Nordic skiing community, Dan added.

SEE ALSO: Veterans commemorate 'very different’ Armistice Day

‘I’ve joined some Facebook groups for Nordic skiing and the guy who has the current world record for the fastest marathon has said I must be borderline insane,’ Dan said.

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As well as impressing the sporting world, Dan’s remarkable efforts have also stunned friends, family and strangers, who have rallied to drum up an incredible £2,250 – smashing the £300 target.

Dan added: ‘This is what is motivating me to get out of bed each morning. It’s absolutely incredible.’

The navy veteran said the money would go to the Royal British Legion, which supports struggling veterans and military families across the UK.

Dan, who’s previously been supported by the legion, has appealed for people to donate.

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‘They have been massively struggling this year to raise money,’ added Dan. ‘The charity goes above and beyond what anyone knows and really needs our support.’

Dan is set to complete his final marathon a week today.

‘Even if I have to do it sitting down and take six hours, I will finish it,’ he insisted.

To donate, see justgiving.com/fundraising/daniel-fallon11marathonsontheskiergin11days

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