'Arch to Arc' triathlete en route

Mr Baglione started the running part of his journey at Marble Arch on Friday

A City hedge fund manager has completed the first stage of a gruelling triathlon course from London to Paris.

Nino Baglione, 31, has arrived in Dover at the end of an 89 mile run from Marble Arch in Central London.

He is now preparing for a 22 mile swim across the Channel before the final leg, a 180 mile cycle ride to the Arc De Triomphe in Paris.

He hopes to arrive on Monday afternoon and break the previous "Arch to Arc" record of 81 hours and 5 minutes.

Running through the night, over a distance equivalent to three marathons, the super-fit city worker said he was in good shape for the 22-mile swim, across the English Channel.

"I'm feeling good and my physio has rubbed me down so I don't stiffen up. The swim will definitely be the toughest part but the forecast looks good and I'm hoping it will stay calm," he said.

I'm not going to look at the FTSE until after the run, there isn't much economics happening in the middle of the English Channel Nino Baglione

As well as drinking litres of high-energy sports drinks, Mr Baglione even had time for a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea - not the typical fuel for the long distance runner.

No FTSE

Before setting off on Friday he joked that he was pleased to be leaving the turbulent financial world behind him for a few days.

He said: "I'm not going to look at the FTSE until after the run, there isn't much economics happening in the middle of the English Channel."

The triathlete planned to catch a few hours sleep at a local hotel before making the final preparations for a bracing night swim to Calais, which could take him as long as 20 hours depending on the currents.

After making his way through passport control, he will begin the final leg, a 180-mile cycle ride to Paris, which he considers the easiest part of the challenge.

Mr Baglione is hoping to roll into the French capital at about 2pm on Monday.

The Arch to Arc triathlon is regarded as one of the most challenging endurance event in the world.

If Mr Baglione is successful he will be the sixth person to complete the race.