9:30am Monday 14th September 2009
By Tristan Kirk
A BRENT councillor overcame multiple injuries to finish one of the world's toughest ironman challenges.
Peter Corcoran took part in the Monaco Ironman Challenge to raise money for St Luke's Hospice.
He was set the task of swimming 1,900m in the sea, cycling 90km, including a notoriously tough section of the Tour de France, and a 22km run up and down mountains in the Alps.
However, his bid was almost derailed when, cycling downhill towards the French town of La Grave, he suffered a front tyre blowout.
Struggling to control the bike, the Lib Dem councillor was hurled over his handlebars landing squarely on his chest on the crash barrier, before falling down the embankment onto rocks.
Cllr Corcoran picked himself up despite suffering 11 injuries, including a 14-inch wound on his chest and a deep hole in his arm, and fixed his puncture to rejoin the race.
Soldiering on, he caught up with other competitors and finished the mammoth challenge in eight hours, 46 minutes, and 50 seconds, at which point he was rushed to hospital for treatment.
Speaking on September 6 after completing the challenge which is dubbed the Formula 1 of Triathlon, he said: “The mountain climbs were massive and relentless, especially in 32 degree heat.
“It was a massively tough challenge that seemed to take its toll on many competitors.
“The staff at the hospital were fantastic and really friendly.”
Money raised from the challenge is to be donated to St Luke's Hospice, which is based in Kenton.
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