Croydon man break Guinness World Record for most triathlons in a week in honour of murdered brother

A man born and raised in Croydon has claimed the Guinness World Record for successfully completing 22 Olympic distance triathlons in seven days, a challenge he took on to honour his murdered brother.

Mark Jones, a 44-year-old gardener, who grew up in Onslow Road, completed his challenge in Windsor between July 18-24 this year when he worked through a gruelling regime with little sleep to complete 33km of swimming, 880km of cycling and 220km of running all within one week.

The previous record was set at 20 triathlons and after full evidence scrutiny, Mark’s was awarded the Guinness World Record in October.

The desire to break the record came on the 15th anniversary of his youngest brother, Steven’s, death. 

Steven was killed in a knife attack in Croydon in 2007 when he was 23 years old.

Mark said he and his family have never come to terms with Steven’s death.

Mark has suffered significant mental health problems at times as a result of the tragic event.

He said sport, and triathlons in particular, have been the only thing keeping him going, and so he chose to take on this challenge in memory of his brother and as a “nod of gratitude” to the sport.

Mark said: “I wanted to do this challenge for my brother and to raise awareness of the huge loss and damage caused to families by knife crime.

“So many kids get into situations they don’t know how to get out of, and they believe that carrying a knife shows they’re tough and think that it will protect them.

“So often it goes wrong, and they and others get hurt and killed. It is no way to live.”

On the run-up to the challenge, Mark’s wife, Jane, came across anti-knife crime charity Steel Warriors and set up a meeting to discuss a fundraising partnership.

Steel Warriors take knives off the street, melt them down and recycle the steel into free, outdoor calisthenics gyms in the areas where the knives were collected.

They use these spaces as community hubs and training centres to support disadvantaged young people.

Mark and Steel Warriors came together to use Mark’s challenge as a fundraising event for the charity.

So far donations amount to nearly £2,500, and the enthusiasm for the partnership continues with further events being planned.

Mark wants to install a street gym in Croydon in memory of Steven. Mark and Steel Warriors need to raise about £45,000.

Mark and Steven’s mum, Carol, said the world record achievement in Steven’s honour was an “emotional moment”.

She said: “Nothing will ever make up for us losing Steven so early in his life. His death tore our family apart and we still think about and miss him every day.

“What Mark has done in honour of Steven, the days and months and years of training to prepare himself to complete this challenge, is simply magnificent.

“I am so proud of him and I am thrilled to have a copy of his Guinness World Record up on my wall at home. It means so much.”

You can donate to Mark and Steel Warrior’s fundraiser here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-jones295

Pictured top: Mark Jones, left, celebrates his Guinness World Record in honour of his brother, right (Picture: Family handout)