Couple set sights on gruelling Atlantic row

Endurance athletes Mat Talbot (32) and Laura Try (33) are inviting more people to join them on their 26.2 mile marathon row taking place at the CrossFit Panic gym in Pate Road, Melton, at 10am.

They’ve organised the row to help raise funds for and as part of their training towards their Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge next year. Regarded as ‘the world’s toughest row’, the gruelling event will involve rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Antigua.

Mat, who lives in Melton, and Laura, who currently lives in Stamford, are set to take on their Atlantic challenge in December next year and will be raising funds for the Stamford-based Evergreen Care Trust charity which supports elderly people.

Since October they’ve been training with Adam Chambers at the Primal Fitness Studio in Melton.

The couple, who’ve been together since May last year, met on a 42-hour endurance race in the Peak District.

Laura said: “We anticipate the Atlantic challenge will take us about 50 to 60 days but it could take up to 90 days depending on the weather, Mother Nature or other circumstances such as illness.”

Each day on the boat they will row for 12 hours, at two-hour intervals. While one rests the other will row, then they’ll swap over. This means they’re unlikely to spend any time together during the whole challenge - despite being boyfriend and girlfriend.

They will consume around 7,000 calories per day and around 15 litres of water, allowing them to pull the oars through the ocean over a million times.

l There are still a few places left if anyone would like to take part in Sunday’s marathon row. It’s £20 per person to take part, which will include snacks and drinks, a finisher’s T-shirt and certificate and other goodies. People can pay on the day. If people don’t fancy rowing they’re welcome to go along and watch all the rowers in action.

For more details about Sunday’s event visit https://www.facebook.com/events/582183378604701/

For more on Mat and Laura’s Atlantic challenge visit https://monkeynutsadventure.co.uk/challenge/