Chris Leek is not fond of the word inspirational, but he is embarking on an almost incomprehensible challenge which is undeniably moving.
The Orpington man, 32, will be running, swimming and cycling from London’s Marble Arch to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris – and he wants to finish it under the world record time of 73 hours.
You can read all about it on his fundraising page here.
Chris is doing it for his dad Dennis, who now has Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s, and for his mum and two sisters who care for him.
"I really struggled with my dad’s illness," Chris told News Shopper. "I thought why us? He is not the same person he was years ago."
Dennis also has sundown syndrome and suffers personality changes at night where his brain can’t function properly.
His son added: "I don’t want people feeling sorry for us. I just want to make a small difference to challenge myself and raising awareness."
Chris dreams of raising £1million for Parkinson's UK, Lewy Body Society and Orpington's Saxon Day Centre, currently at risk of closure.
He works full-time at Budweiser Brewing Group and only 34 people have ever completed the Enduroman Arch to Arc solo.
Speaking ahead of his 289-mile journey, Chris said: "When I first told my family they were nervous.
"They know that I will only stop if I am pulled out or pass out. I am very committed and have a crazy way of thinking.
"They are really worried if I am totally honest."
He thanked his family for helping to manage his own stress levels in preparation and said they are all backing him to succeed.
Chris, who swam the English Channel in 2016, said balancing his commitments is harder than the challenge itself.
"I have my wife, I support my mum with the caring for dad, I have work and then training comes last," he said.
He usually goes on 50-mile runs late at night or early in the morning to avoid clashes with his work or personal life.
However, he insists he is not a professional athlete and is just an ordinary man doing something for his dad.
"I’m just an average guy with a drive," Chris put it humbly. "I hate the word inspirational but it’s also about inspiring people to become a better them with health and fitness."
He advised people looking to get fit to do little runs often and stressed that you don’t need to do marathons or ironman challenges.
Chris advised making running a habit and to eventually sign up to a 5k or 10k run to have a goal in mind.
After being an "emotional wreck" last month, Chris says he is now relishing August.
"I’m excited now and have the butterflies in my stomach," he said. "I will be ready for race day physically and mentally.
"I still have four weeks of intense training and I am really looking forward to it now."
We would like to wish Chris, born and bread in Orpington, the best of luck in his huge challenge and we will keep you updated with how he does.
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