Hampstead’s Chris Horsthuis has smashed is own fundraising goal for the homeless charity Shelter, netting a fantastic £1,220 at the end of a gruelling triathlon challenge.

Chris completed the Iron Man challenge in the historic seaside resort of Weymouth, including a 1.9 km swim, 90km bike ride and a 21km run.

“The event was a fantastic experience, having worked so hard it was great to see my effort come to fruition,” said Chris.

Chris, 33, said he was delighted to have completed the event, though it was far from plain sailing for the civil engineer.

While the swim went well with the Hampstead man completing the course faster than expected, the bike ride heralded problems that were to come back and haunt him later in the race.

“If I wasn’t for someone putting so many hills in the way, and getting overtaken by so many superb cyclists it would have been a pure pleasure,” he said.

It was only a third of the way into the 21km run that disaster threatened to strike, Chris recalls, as his back began to freeze up and he struggled to keep his body temperature in check.

“I really cannot express how I was feeling. I’ve played through sprained/torn ligaments, damaged knees, cuts and bruises, descended rib, smashed nose, even sciatica,” he said. “And I’m sure a few concussions…. this was the first time I felt I needed to stop.”

But our Hampstead philanthropist kept going, egged on by his No.1 supporters - mum Judith and dad Tony - even managing to sprint the last 15m over the line to receive his gong.

You can still support Chris via his Just Giving page at:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/aluminium-man