The best sport fitness challenges in the world

Sea Paddle Experience, New York

This 26-mile charity sea paddle around New York City is not only a seriously challenge and intense whole body workout – the choppy waters created by boat wakes from the Hudson and East River vamp up the paddle effort required – but it is also a spectacular way to take in the New-York skyline. The SUP (stand up paddle boarding) charity event is offered as a package, which begins on Friday evening with a seafood dinner at the laidback Fishmarket Bar, near Brooklyn Bridge.

Also included in the weekend package is hotel accommodation on Friday night (with breakfast on Saturday), the gruelling paddle itself, and a sizzling after-paddle party on the Saturday evening with drinks and food included.

The paddle adventure takes between 3 and 6 hours and begins under Brooklyn Bridge. You’ll then head up East River, down Hudson River and finish at Chelsea Piers Marina. The event takes place over the first weekend of August this year and participants are required to raise $1000 in order to enter – money will go to environmental preservation projects and to charities dedicated to supporting children with autism. Many people bring their own paddle board and enter on their own, but it is a good event to do with a friend or even in a group.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

This Tanzanian mountain, whose 5895m summit is the highest on the African continent, attracts thousands of trekkers each year. Climbing Kilimanjaro is on the bucket list of many globe-trotting adventurers, young and old, and is a firm favourite among athletes, charity climbers and those with more modest fitness levels looking for a challenge. It is a long climb (6-8 days, depending on which route you take), but not a very difficult one by professional climbing standards. No previous climbing experience is necessary, but it would be wise to undertake some practice hikes in advance to improve your cardiovascular capability and lower body strength.

During the ‘Kili’ climb itself altitude sickness can strike, whatever your level of fitness. Acclimatise yourself by walking slowly on the mountain trail and by drinking lots of water en route. Make sure to also pack sufficient supplies of the preventative altitude sickness medication Diamox. Your efforts will be rewarded by magnificent views during the trail and from the summit.

The best months to climb ‘Kili’ are January to March or June to October. To enhance your bucket list challenge combine it with a luxurious break on the sun-kissed island of Zanzibar.

​Complete a not-so-ordinary marathon, France

If you want to add some flair to your marathon aspirations try running the Marathon du Medoc.

For the thrill seekers among you who also love a glass of fine wine the Marathon du Medoc ticks many boxes. The 26-mile run through scenic vineyards is interspersed with frequent pitstops during which you can sample the fine wines of the region and delicious local food. Take note: you will be expected to quaff 23 glasses of vintage vino, and indulge in oysters, foie gras, steak and ice-cream along the way. Fancy dress is compulsory.

The soporific effect of the wine and lengthy food fests are likely to add (many) minutes to your time, but if it makes the experience more enjoyable and the distance seem shorter, then we’re in! Of course, the Marathon du Medoc is less about your fitness, and more about a truly memorable, ‘right royal rollicking’ sporting achievement.

Though to officially 'finish' and receive your medal, you will need to complete the marathon (and drink stops) in 6 hours 20 minutes.

Three Peaks Challenge, United Kingdom

The aim of the Three Peaks challenge is to climb the three peaks of Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Mount Snowdon in Wales without a break. Typically, people undertaking the challenge start by climbing Ben Nevis on Saturday morning. They’ll then hop in the car and travel by road to Scafell Pike to climb its vertiginous peak on Saturday afternoon or evening – expect to forfeit one night’s sleep – before continuing to Mount Snowdon for a Sunday climb.

The goal of this particular challenge is to complete the route within 24 hours. This allows 5 ½ hours for your first climb, 4 ½ for your second peak and 4 hours for the final mountain. 10 hours of driving is allocated for the drive between locations. There are many ways to attempt this challenge. Setting sail on the mission alone is possible but requires detailed planning, logistics organisation, outward bounds experience and strong moral fibre, which is why many people prefer to do it with a friend or as part of an organised tour.

The ‘Three Peaks’ requires strength, stamina and sheer grit, but is a truly rewarding experience with spectacular views in all three locations.

London to Paris Bike Ride

This epic 275-mile bike ride between the two European capitals starts in Blackheath and continues through the Garden of Kent, via the Channel (Tunnel or ferry) to Calais, where you will spend your first night. The next three days will take you through beautiful Northern French countryside and on to Paris where you will brake to a halt under the Eiffel Tower.

The total cycle tour takes 4 days and 4 nights and can be undertaken independently; less confident cyclists can join a guided and supported tour, which is offered by many tour operators.

​Ski the famous Hahnenkamm Olympic downhill piste

If you want to feel like a pro on one of the most notorious downhill pistes in the world, head to the Hahnenkamm mountain in Kitzbuhel, an Olympic destination and host to annual alpine ski races.

Despite its daunting reputation as a gritty men’s downhill race slope, the ‘Streif’ or Stripe piste on the Hahnenkamm is just about skiable by the average holiday maker – but it takes guts and super strong legs. In good conditions expect your speed to reach a bloodcurdling 85mph. The slope is open to public skiers in winter before and after the famous race, but for those who would rather tackle an easier gradient try the Family Streif as a tough but manageable alternative.

​Breca Buttermere Swimrun, United Kingdom

With its high peaks and deep lakes, the Lake District is an area of geographical extremes. The Breca Buttermere Swimrun is a gruelling test of fitness, stamina and morale, involving a 38km run along marked trails through the spectacular Lake District mountain countryside (the ascents are steep and the descents tricky) and 6km of swimming in the deep, cold waters of the lakes. This challenge can only be undertaken in teams of two and requires a high level of fitness and athletic competence. Expect to complete the course in 5 ½ to 11 hours.

For a more manageable version of the Swimrun try the Breca Buttermere Sprint, which can be completed in 2 to 4 hours and involves a 15 ½ km run and a 3.3km swim.

​Bungee jump: London and Queenstown, New Zealand

Although bungee jumping may not officially qualify as a sport, the sheer adrenaline impact of the jump and the resulting endorphin surge make it an intensely physical activity worthy of mention. If you have never bungee jumped before, start with a modest jump of 160ft. You can initiate yourself at London’s O2 arena, boasting literal eye-watering views of the Thames, Canary Wharf and Central London.

Bungee jump connoisseurs, though, should make the pilgrimage to Queensland, New Zealand, a city known for its adventure-fuelled activities, and which is home to the world’s first bungee jump, Kawarau Bridge Bungy. South Island also boasts the 134m-high Nevis Bungy Jump, which is among the highest in the world.

​The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Global

This is one of the biggest collaborative sporting endurance challenges of the natural world. The race is a 40,000-mile sail around the world on a 70ft yacht. It is split into eight legs and 13-16 smaller races, any of which you can choose to partake in if you don’t wish to undertake the full circumnavigation.

The race is open to individuals with no previous sailing experience, but all entrants must complete a rigorous organised training programme before embarking on the epic voyage under the guidance of a fully qualified skipper. Expect to encounter stormy seas, African sunsets, and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. You will have enduring memories and make lifelong friends.

Swim with Polar Bears, Secret Arctic Location

Big Animal Global Expeditions offers the once-in-a-lifetime chance of swimming with polar bears in an Arctic location (kept secret to avoid over exposure of wildlife and eco systems to the harmful effects of mass tourism). ‘Fewer people have swum with polar bears’, they boast, ‘than walked on the Moon’.

The exclusive fully guided tour includes your flight to Canada and charter flight to Baffin Island followed by a further charter flight, which will take you to an isolated and remote location in the Arctic, where you will spend the next six days. Temperatures are between -5 and -10C in the daytime and fall to between -10 and -20C at night, so pack wisely. You will camp on a beach and be taken on daily excursions (bird and seal watching, photographic expeditions and boat trips in search of polar bears). On locating the polar bears and, if you are lucky, their cubs one adult per dive will accompany the Innuit guides on the swim of a lifetime.

August dates for the excursion are still available. It is hard to imagine a more rewarding and exclusive experience but it comes at the correspondingly mouth-watering price of $130,000 per person.