AN athlete from Ingleby Arncliffe is one of a four-strong rowing team who have smashed the Guinness Book of World Record for the fastest to row 2,400 nautical miles.

Duncan Roy and his Team Latitude 35 completed the Mid-Pacific route from San Francisco to Hawaii in a time of 30 days seven hours and 30 minutes in their boat American Spirit.

They crossed the line of the Great Pacific Race on Wednesday and made the record books as the fastest four-man team to complete the row.

Since its launch in 2014, only 22 teams have ever completed the challenge.

The team were pushed to their limits, rowing two hours on two hours off, 24/7 in testing conditions of 30ft waves and gusts of wind reaching 47mph.

For Mr Roy, the achievement adds yet another World Record to his accolade of wins and records to date.

In 2020 he earned the British Record in a 100km row as a mixed heavyweight pair and set a World Record for the leg of his first Atlantic Row from Cape Verde to French Guiana in 2018.

Among other achievements, he has run the Edinburgh Marathon, Great North Run, the Lyke Wake Walk, the Phoenix Run and last year rowed 80 per cent of the British Coastline in an unsupported row with Gus Barton.

Mr Roy was joined on the Great Pacific Row by Angus Collins of Battersea, Jordan Shuttleworth of Staffordshire and Jason Caldwell of California.

He was not only aiming to break the world record but also raise money for an important cause that is close to his heart, Sport in Mind.

Sport in Mind uses sport and physical activity to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems.

Angus Collins is close friend in the team has openly shared his own struggles with depression and being diagnosed with severe ADHD.

His journey has been tough, but having almost taken his own life just after his 30th birthday, he has since taken huge positive steps forward in his road to recovery through professional help and guidance. 

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