{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-blog-post-js","path":"/blog/raf-veteran-stacey-denyer-completes-108-000m-birthday-challenge-sets-new-records-on-ergzone","result":{"pageContext":{"post":{"id":"927dc925-a067-4b80-ad07-f3016a661735","title":"RAF Veteran Stacey Denyer Completes 108,000m Birthday Challenge & Sets New Records on ErgZone","slug":"raf-veteran-stacey-denyer-completes-108-000m-birthday-challenge-sets-new-records-on-ergzone","excerpt":"RAF Veteran and para indoor rower Stacey Denyer celebrated turning 40 by taking on an extraordinary feat: tackling over 108,000 meters across 13 distinct distances on the Concept2 RowErg ...","contentHtml":"<p>RAF Veteran and para indoor rower Stacey Denyer celebrated turning 40 by taking on an extraordinary feat: tackling over 108,000 meters across 13 distinct distances on the Concept2 RowErg while fundraising for veteran and health organizations.</p><p>Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Osteoarthritis, Stacey set out to complete every official distance from a 100m sprint up to a full marathon (42,195m). Over the course of 18 days, including warm-ups and cool-downs, she logged over 120km on the erg.</p><p><br></p><blockquote><em>\"My first Concept2 indoor rowing marathon was on my 34th birthday raising funds for charity. I was thinking of something special to mark my 40th and this seemed to fit. As well as raising money for some amazing organisations, hopefully it raises the profile of adaptive sport and para athletes—and women in their 40s remaining active altogether.\"</em></blockquote><blockquote><em>— </em><strong><em>Stacey Denyer</em></strong></blockquote><p><br></p><h2><strong>Challenge Achievements &amp; Records</strong></h2><p>Pending final confirmation from Concept2 as of September 2, 2026, Stacey’s remarkable campaign results include:</p><ul><li><strong>1x World Record:</strong> 100m sprint completed in 18.4 seconds (taking the World Record down from 19 seconds, with her personal best standing at 18.2s).</li><li><strong>11x British Records:</strong> Includes taking 0.5 seconds off her previous Para PB and W30-39 PR3 500m record, finishing in 1:47.9.</li><li><strong>Upcoming Targets:</strong> Stacey plans to target the 2,000m British Record at BRIC/WRICH, while the 5,000m record remains held by her Go Go Para Rangers teammate, Sophie Conbeer.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3><strong>Key Lessons &amp; Experience</strong></h3><p>Reflecting on the intense 18-day challenge, Stacey shared her key takeaways across pacing, preparation, community support, and personal pride:</p><ul><li><strong>Pacing:</strong> <em>\"I set loose pace goals based on my 25/26 season bests, but underestimated how difficult they would be to sustain across so many near-maximal efforts in a short period, with little recovery. The positive is that I have plenty of time to improve those times and train specifically for each distance over the next decade.\"</em></li><li><strong>Preparation:</strong> <em>\"After experiencing chafing during the half marathon, I researched anti-friction balms for the marathon. It made a huge difference - I only had to get off the erg once to reapply.\"</em></li><li><strong>People:</strong> <em>\"Having others around really helped over the longer distances. Friends and family kept me going during the half marathon which I completed at Solace in Devon, while around 20 people took turns rowing alongside me during the marathon at my local Everyone Active Leisure Centre. Their company helped me stay controlled at the start and motivated at the finish.\"</em></li><li><strong>Proud:</strong> <em>\"Alongside rowing 18.4 seconds for 100m and taking the World Record from 19 seconds, I'm especially proud to have taken 0.5 seconds off my previous Para PB and W30-39 PR3 500m record, finishing in 1:47.9.\"</em></li></ul><p><br></p><h3><strong>The 108,000m Birthday Distances</strong></h3><p>Stacey tracked and logged all 13 challenge efforts directly through ErgZone across the following categories:</p><p><strong style=\"color: rgb(73, 73, 73);\">CategoryTarget Distances / Time Trials</strong><strong>Time Trials</strong>1 minute, 4 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes<strong>Sprint &amp; Mid-Distances</strong>100m, 500m, 1,000m, 2,000m, 5,000m, 6,000m, 10,000m<strong>Endurance Challenges</strong>Half Marathon (21,097m), Full Marathon (42,195m)</p><h3><strong>Fundraising &amp; Supported Organizations</strong></h3><p>Stacey works within the armed forces community and continues to raise funds for several organizations that have deeply impacted her and her peers:</p><ul><li>UK Afghanistan Veterans Community</li><li>Female Veterans Alliance</li><li>PTSD Resolution</li><li>Mutual Support</li><li>Solace in Devon</li><li>Turn to Starboard</li><li>Police UK Disability Sport</li></ul><p>To find out more about her challenge or to support her ongoing campaign, please visit Stacey's <a href=\"https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-40th-record-breaking-birthday?attribution_id=sl:b4fc5689-d50d-4b74-8514-92b8ba865dcc&amp;lang=en_GB&amp;ts=1778844538&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp20_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 186, 176);\">GoFundMe</a> page directly.</p><p><br></p><h3><strong>What's Next: Erg Power Series &amp; WOD Week</strong></h3><p>With the 108,000m challenge complete, Stacey turns her attention to the upcoming <a href=\"https://www.erg.zone/groups/erg-series/erg-power-series-2026\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 186, 176);\">Erg Power Series</a> with her team, the Go Go Para Rangers (alongside teammates Sophie Conbeer, Justin Camilleri, and Jouni Rasanen). She is also eyeing Concept2’s WOD Week Challenge starting September 7th to keep building momentum for adaptive rowing.</p><p><img src=\"https://d33v4339jhl8k0.cloudfront.net/docs/assets/61df239595524d6f6eaf3df3/images/6a985f41fb02544561c5d224/file-6B9ADZoZSN.jpg\"></p><p><img src=\"https://d33v4339jhl8k0.cloudfront.net/docs/assets/61df239595524d6f6eaf3df3/images/6a985f4f9146944608cc80e7/file-eZXDRdBLLp.jpg\"></p>","publishedAt":"2026-09-02T09:01:00Z","imageUrl":"https://rowingzone.b-cdn.net/public/blog/94a88800-8f70-482b-b60a-171149eb90bc.jpg"}}},"staticQueryHashes":["3649515864"]}