Pair exhilarated to arrive in Antigua (From Craven Herald)

Pair exhilarated to arrive in Antigua

Intrepid rowers Alex MacDonald and Luke Grose completed a gruelling 3,000-mile race across the Atlantic Ocean.

Alex MacDonald and Luke Grose after finishing the race

Their efforts raised more than £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Alex, 23, and Luke, 24, who both live in the Dales, were sponsored by Bradford motor firm JCT 600 in their bid.

They struggled through storms, rowed alongside dolphins, crossed tanker lanes and watched sharks during their bid to complete an event known as the world’s toughest race.

The school friends left the island of La Gomera near Tenerife on January 4 in their boat, the JCT600 Yorkshire Challenger, and crossed the finish line in Antigua after rowing for 84 days, in spite of an early injury setback making it difficult for Alex to row in the first few weeks.

More than 100 friends, family, fellow rowers, local people and Antiguan government representatives welcomed them at English Harbour in Antigua. Alex said: “It was an incredible experience, very tough mentally and physically at times, but worth every stroke.

“Arriving in English Harbour is something I will never forget.”

Team JCT600 sponsor John Tordoff said: “This is an outstanding achievement in the face of extremely difficult conditions.”