Whitehead man Jason rows over 260,000 metres in 24 hours in aid of NI Chest Heart and Stroke

Jason Greenwood completed the rowing machine challenge as part of a fundraising event on Friday, May 8 at Whitehead Community Centre.

It was part of an overall 24-hour fitness challenge during Whitehead’s Healthy Body, Healthy Mind week, which saw participants complete a one-hour slot on either the rowing machine, treadmill or exercise bike.

However, Whitehead Coastal Rowing Club coach Jason pulled out all the stops by committing to the entire 24 hours.

He covered a total of 260,099 metres over the duration of the event – a distance which, pending confirmation, could be an Irish record for any age category.

The local man previously told of how he had in the past suffered serious health issues, including pneumonia and blood clots, with the experience sparking a desire to improve his fitness and health.

And despite being a seasoned rower, Jason described the feat of endurance as “probably the toughest thing” he had ever done. “I had run a marathon when I was in my 30s but attempting an ‘ultra’ like this was way outside my experience and comfort zone,” he added.

Strong support

The fundraiser drew strong community support, with friends, family, rowing club members and local residents attending throughout the event.

A dedicated support team including Lheanna Kent, Gina Patterson, Mark Wilson, and Michael Millar monitored Jason’s physical condition throughout the challenge, keeping a close eye on hydration, heart-rate and body temperature as well as blood pressure, blood oxygenation, and blood sugar levels.

Ahead of the challenge, Jason estimated he would be burning around 18,000 calories and taking approximately 20,000 strokes during the attempt.

To sustain himself, he consumed up to 18 litres of fluid and large amounts of carbohydrates, with carefully chosen supplies including sandwiches, bananas, fruit jelly sweets and energy drinks.

"I don’t think I found any part of the 24 hours easy,” Jason said. “Although the first 8-10 hours was physically the easiest, there was always a heavy mental realisation that there was a massive way still to go. Splitting up the effort into 5km (25 minute) chunks was really helpful in providing a tangible, short-term goal.”

Change of strategy

During the final hours he struggled with exhaustion, muscle stiffness and breathing difficulties.

However, with the help of his support team, a determined Jason persevered by adjusting his strategy and increasing his recovery breaks.

Rowing through the ‘wee small hours’, he was kept entertained by listening to JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit on audiobook.

The event even saw him reconnect with a former friend from his schooldays who had recently moved back to Whitehead.

The local man paid tribute to the support from his wife, Kathy, along with the supporters who cheered him on on the day. “The culmination of this goodwill came in the final minutes when about 30 people squeezed into the room to serenade my last strokes alongside Sinatra singing ‘My Way’,” he recalled. “It was a surreal moment that I will treasure for the rest of my days.”