FORMER Warrington Guardian journalist, Jane Woodhead, has been supporting a top endurance triathlete to smash a world record.

John Van Wisse broke the world record for the Arch to Arc event by more than 12 hours last month – and Jane, originally from Appleton, was there to inspire and encourage him along the way.

John, from Melbourne, Australia, ran the 88 miles from Marble Arch in London to Dover, in 15 hours and 53 minutes.

After eight hours rest he swam the Channel to France in hurricane conditions in 12 hours and 31 minutes.

Following a rest of 10 hours and 31 minutes he then cycled 290km to Arc de Triomphe in Paris in 14 hours and seven minutes – finishing the overall race in 61 hours and 27 minutes – 12 hours and 12 minutes inside the current world record held by English man Mark Bayliss from Croydon.

Jane, now PR Director at Paver Smith in Liverpool, said: “I met John during the last 40km of his run in Kent, together with his sponsors, Acquire Learning, and ran several miles with him.

“It was fantastic to be a part of a world record challenge. John is just a human machine. I could not believe it he was just smiling all of the way – even though he must have been in so much pain.

“As I was running with John I was singing to him and telling him jokes trying to take his mind off the pain he must have been going through.”

John’s challenge was made possible thanks to his sponsors Acquire Learning whose philosophy is making dreams come true for people by finding careers and training opportunities to help individuals on their road to success.