KNUTSFORD ‘Blood Brothers’ have returned to Cheshire as World Record holders after taking on and smashing a mammoth 288-mile cross-channel challenge.

James Whittaker, from Knutsford, and Tom Hardman, from Mobberley, were part of the six- man ‘Blood Brothers’ team that emerged victorious from one of the toughest triathlon challenges in the world, Enduroman Arch to Arc, last week.

The triumphant team completed the gruelling relay challenge, which started at Marble Arch in London and finished at Arc de Triomphe in Paris, in a record 33 hours and 5 minutes – beating the previous world record by an incredible two hours and 48 minutes.

James, who, along with Tom, is a member of the Knutsford Triathlon Club, said: “We are thrilled to not only have completed the Arch to Arc challenge but to have smashed the World Record. The team underwent gruelling training schedules which helped us to achieve the fantastic time.

“Each and every member of the team gave 110 percent and we’re relieved to have finished the race after a non-stop 33 hours.”

The challenge from Marble Arch started at 12.30am on Tuesday September 23 and the 87-mile relay run to Dover was completed in 9 hours and 6 minutes.

The Channel Swim then began and finished at 10.40pm on Tuesday night, with team clocking up a swim-time of 11 hours and 39 hours.

The final leg of the challenge was a 181-mile bike ride from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which was completed in an impressive 8 hours and 48 minutes.

The victorious team crossed the finish line at 10am on Wednesday September 24, with an overall time of 33 hours and 5 minutes.

“It was an amazing experience but the toughest part was definitely the channel swim,” said Tom.

“During the night the wind picked up and the sea became really choppy and the tide was working against us. It was a dark moment but we pulled though and gave it all we got once we got on to dry land.”

James and Tom have asked supporters to donate a unit of blood instead of money.

Any supporters unable to give blood can make a donation to Anthony Nolan on the A2A Blood Brothers Just Giving page.

To give blood, visit blood.co.uk.