November 5, 2018 10.22 am This story is over 64 months old

Grantham man completes epic 157 day swim around Britain

The Lincolnshire adventurer is a new record holder

Grantham adventurer Ross Edgley battled a rotting tongue, jelly fish stings and injuries to become the first person to swim the entire 1,780 mile Great Britain coastline.

The brutal challenge came to an end on Sunday, November 4, when the 33-year-old was joined by 400 fellow swimmers for the last kilometre in Margate.

Crowds gathered in their hundreds to watch the much-anticipated finish.

After 157 days, 640 bananas and a total of 1,791 miles, Edgley is far from defeated. He told reporters, within minutes of arriving on dry land for the first time, he is already planning his next challenge, which could be another swimming exploit.

He began his journey on June 1 in Kent town swam for up to 12 hours a day and through the night and battled strong currents in cold water.

Edgley chronicled his journey on social media and through weekly vlogs for Red Bull.

He told the Press Association: “It’s really weird, so many mixed emotions. Relief I didn’t face plant the floor, grateful I can come on land and see my family again.