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Sean Conway runs through Kent on 4,000 mile self-supported ultra triathlon around coast of UK

If you’re heading to the coast this weekend, keep an eye out for a man with an impressive ginger beard running past you.

Hard to miss with his long hair and chest-length beard, Sean Conway is on the Kent leg of a 4,000-mile self-supported ultra triathlon around the coast of the UK. When he finishes in three weeks, he will have completed the world's longest triathlon.

The 35-year-old arrived in the county on Wednesday and ran along the River Thames through Gravesend and out to Allhallows on the Hoo Peninsula. He then headed into Rochester, crossing the bridge, before going through Chatham and Gillingham along the River Medway.

A rather windy day on the Kent coast yesterday. Picture: @Conway_Sean on Twitter
A rather windy day on the Kent coast yesterday. Picture: @Conway_Sean on Twitter

Sean’s route then went through Sittingbourne and Faversham to Whitstable where he started his run this morning.

Speaking to KentOnline this morning Sean said he’d loved the county so far.

He said: “I haven’t been out to the north coast before. It was quite wet on Wednesday, the rain was soaking through everything but it’s been great fun. I’ve met some cool people.

It was rather wet on Wednesday when Sean headed out onto the Hoo Peninsula. Picture: @Conway_Sean on Twitter
It was rather wet on Wednesday when Sean headed out onto the Hoo Peninsula. Picture: @Conway_Sean on Twitter

“I had a bit of detour to get here. I was going to use Tilbury Ferry but there was a cruise ship so they closed the ferry all weekend.

“I had to run into London and over Tower Bridge so that was a bit annoying that I’m four days later than I was hoping.”

He added: “I think when people see me at first they think I’m just this ginger Forrest Gump - which I do currently look like - I have been travelling for a long time."

He is heading to Margate today before continuing around the coast to Dover over the weekend.

So far he has been running for 28 days covering 800 miles from Scarborough, and each day sees him run more than a marathon, averaging around 30 miles a day.

Sean said: “I just wanted to challenge myself physically and mentally. I have two messages that I’m trying to say to everyone. Britain is a pretty cool island, you don’t have to go abroad to have an adventure and we are all more physical and mentally capable then we think we are.

You can track Sean's route online. Picture: www.discoveryuk.com
You can track Sean's route online. Picture: www.discoveryuk.com

“If you have a big idea just go for it.”

Most nights are spent camping but he does sometimes treat himself to a night in a B&B so he can wash his socks.

Sean set off from Lulworth Cove, Dorset just over two months ago on a 3,350 bike ride.

When he reaches Brighton he will swim 100 miles back to Lulworth Cove with only a self-made raft to sustain him.

You can follow Sean on Twitter @Conway_Sean and track him on discoveryuk.com

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