Stoke Newington fundraiser only ice skater to cross 200km Finnish line

A Stoke Newington charity fundraiser has braved the bitter cold to be the first and only competitor to finish the world’s toughest ice race.

Teddy Keen hoped to be the first Briton to complete Finland’s Kuopio Ice Marathon when he began training for the challenge just three months ago.

But the 29-year-old of Burma Road became the only competitor to complete the full 200km route around a frozen lake, after extreme weather conditions called off the contest.

Temperatures dropped to minus 30 degrees as Teddy skated in daylight and darkness for nine and a half hours.

“I was an amazing experience but really difficult. I lot of the time I didn’t think I would make it at all. You just couldn’t prepare for that kind of cold,” he said.

Teddy, who works in advertising, trained for the cutting edge challenge by rollerblading around Clissold Park and submerging himself in ice baths.

He has raised about �8,000 so far for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and craniofacial support group Headlines, which have both supported his brother Angus.

The 21-year-old, who has a rare genetic condition called Apert syndrome, was waiting at the frozen finish line for his brother.

“It was really great to have him there and to know he was watching,” said Teddy.

“When things got tough, I would think what he has been through and made it a lot easier for me to keep going.

“As I crossed the finish line to the deafening cheers of, oh, about ten very brave people, I swear I would have cried if my tear ducts hadn’t been frozen.”

To follow Teddy’s challenge and donate to his chosen charities, go to www.teddyonice.com.