Former Southampton captain Francis Benali has reached his £1m fundraising goal after incredibly completing five Ironman triathlons inside just one week.
Benali, 50, swam 12 miles, ran five marathons, cycled 560 miles and burned almost 61,000 calories during his mammoth challenge.
An emotional Benali, who ended up in hospital during one stage of the gruelling week, said: “There were some pretty tough days but this just puts the icing on the cake.
“I’m very, very pleased and emotional – it’s absolutely incredible.”
The challenge was his third and final in a bid to hit the £1m target in aid of Cancer Research UK.
He added: “It was the best news to wake up to this morning.
“I just can’t thank everyone enough that’s supported the challenges in some shape or form.
“It’s all about trying to bring a cure for this awful disease and find better treatments.”
He started the challenge in Manchester and finished in Southampton, his home city, where more than 1,000 people turned out to cheer him home.
Mr Benali chose to fundraise for the cancer charity as many of his family and friends have been affected by the horrible disease.
Michelle Mitchell, of Cancer Research UK, said: “I would like to congratulate and thank Franny for his phenomenal achievement.
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“We have been in awe of his incredible determination to reach that goal since he started out on the first of three physically demanding challenges five years ago.”
Back in 2014 Benali ran to all 20 Premier League stadiums, and two years later ran and cycled to every Premier League and Championship ground within two weeks.
A petition has been now been launched calling for Mr Benali to be awarded a knighthood for his incredible fundraising efforts.
Former Southampton captain Francis Benali has reached his £1m fundraising goal after incredibly completing five Ironman triathlons inside just one week. Benali, 50, swam 12 miles, ran five marathons, cycled 560 miles and burned almost 61,000 calories during..
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Former footballer Francis Benali has reached his £1m fundraising goal after completing five Ironman triathlons inside a week. He swam 12 miles, ran five marathons, cycled 560 miles and burned
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Former Southampton captain Francis Benali reaches £1m fundraising goal after completing five triathlons in one week Former Southampton captain Francis Benali has reached his £1m fundraising goal after incredibly completing five Ironman triathlons inside just one week. Benali, talkSPORT 1 day ago: Three people rushed to hospital after
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SEVEN Ironman-distance triathlons in seven days. That's the incredible challenge Francis Benali, now 50, has set himself as he continues to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The former Southampton defender clocked up almost 400 appearances for his hometown club in a career that spanned three decades.
Former Southampton captain Francis Benali has reached his £1m fundraising goal after incredibly completing five Ironman triathlons inside just one week. Benali, 50, swam 12 miles, ran five
Former Southampton captain Francis Benali reaches £1m
Former Southampton captain Francis Benali has reached his £1m fundraising goal after incredibly completing five Ironman triathlons inside just one week. Benali, 50, swam 12 miles, ran five marathons, cycled 560 miles and burned almost 61,000 calories during his mammoth challenge.
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Former Southampton captain Francis Benali reaches £1m
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Former footballer Francis Benali has reached his £1m fundraising goal after completing five Ironman triathlons inside a week. He swam 12 miles, ran five marathons, cycled 560 miles and burned
Former Southampton captain Francis Benali reaches £1m
hollywoodadviser.com/former-southampton-captain-francis-benali-reaches-1m-fundraising-goal-after-completing-five-triathlons-in-one-week/
FRAN-TASTIC The 50-year-old swam 12 miles, ran five marathons, cycled 560 miles and burned almost 61,000 calories during his ginormous challenge Former Southampton captain Francis Benali has reached his £1m fundraising goal after incredibly completing five Ironman triathlons inside just one week.
Former Southampton captain Francis Benali reaches £1m
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