Dartmouth dentists celebrate charity rowing challenge success
A pair of dentists from Dartmouth has plenty to smile about after completing a charity race deemed the most gruelling rowing challenge on the planet.
Dentists Justin Marney and Azud Irshad spent 50 days at sea, tackling unpredictable conditions and pushing their endurance and mental strength to the max to reach the shores of Antigua. The duo set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on the 14th December as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. The course is 3,000 miles long, and the duo came home in fifth place. They were competing against a number of crews with 3 or members, so they performed incredibly well.
Former Royal Navy serviceman, Justin, said that this was the toughest challenge they had faced, despite the fact that both dentists have a history of competing in endurance races. This was a completely different ballgame, and neither would have survived without the support of one another and the messages from home.
The dentists were competing to raise money for Rowcroft Hospice in Torquay. The hospice provides end of life care for patients with terminal illnesses, as well as vital support for family and loved ones. Mr Marney’s father received care at the hospice, and the team wanted to express their gratitude.
The race was won by Latitude, a crew of four made up of English and American rowers. The crew broke the record, crossing the finish line after 36 days at sea.
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