AN OLYMPIC rower has been leading a group of more than 100 high-profile Olympians, endurance runners, international yachtsmen and rowers in a series of gruelling challenges to raise funds for the Oxford University's coronavirus research.

The Coronathon Challenge is the brainchild of Annabel Eyres, from Oxford, and endurance athlete Tiffany Jolowicz.

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Ms Eyres said: “The idea was that anyone could design their own Coronathon, at their own athletic level and support the Oxford scientists."

Oxford Mail:

The 55-year-old ran a half marathon and then with son Archie McChesney rowed off the Isle of Wight.

Her husband Angus, meanwhile, an international yachtsman, swam 10km and her nephew, GB junior rowing international Oli McChesney, 20, cycled 312km all round Majorca in under 12 hours.

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So far the challenge has raised almost £35,000.

Ms Eyres said: "We’re mostly driven, competitive people and during lockdown we’ve missed the thrill and camaraderie of training and competing in our different sports so this was a great way to inject some challenge and excitement into our lives while raising money for a tremendous cause."