People / charity
Former footballers run through Bristol as part of epic endurance challenge
An Ironman triathlon is a challenge of huge proportions: a 2.4-mile swim followed by a 112-mile cycle and 26.2-mile run.
Former Southampton defender Francis Benali is taking the challenge several steps further, completing an Ironman every day for seven consecutive days in an attempt to raise £1m for Cancer Research UK.
The 50-year-old hopes to finish his epic feat at the Southampton Marathon on May 5, and on Wednesday passed through Bristol with a familiar running partner on day three of the Iron Fran challenge.
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Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, now a pundit on Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports, joined Benali for part of the run, wishing Benali farewell close to the Harbour Inlet opposite the SS Great Britain.
The pair, good friends who made more than 900 appearances in all competitions for the Saints, went into business together as football agents in 2016.
Benali’s marathon-distance run on Wednesday started in Yate and went through Coalpit Heath, Bromley Heath, Frenchay, Filton and down Gloucester Road into the city centre before finishing in Westbury-on-Trym.
Thursday morning’s swim for Benali started soon after 6am in the pool at the David Lloyd leisure centre in Westbury, before a bike leg which saw Benali pass through Blaise Castle, Kingsweston and Stoke Bishop on his way to Uffington in Oxfordshire.
To find out more and to donate to Cancer Research UK, visit www.ironfran.co.uk
Read more: Training for the world championships
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