Oldham Athletic chairman Frank Rothwell arrives in Antigua beating his own Atlantic challenge record

The chairman of Oldham Athletic has completed an epic 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic Ocean, raising more than a quarter of a million pounds.

Frank Rothwell, 73, set off from the Canary Islands on 12 December and finally arrived in Antigua on 15 February at 17:35 GMT after two months at sea.

He completed the challenge in 64 days, seven hours and 53 minutes and dubbed the row as, not just the toughest row, but the "toughest anything."

"It should be called the world's toughest anything!": Frank Rothwell moments after completing epic challenge.

"I'm the oldest person to row across any ocean solo, and that's a major acheivement," said Frank.

"This time was much harder than last time, the weather conditions were much different. There was less consistency, there were certain routes we followed so that the wind motored us in the right direction and also we followed the currents to try and gain an advantage.

"We only get two days forecasting, but two weeks in wind. This time was much more difficult, it took two weeks longer and I expected to be a week earlier as well."

  • This is the emotional moment Frank finishes his 3,000 mile row for Alzheimer's Research UK.

It was the second time he has undertaken "the world's toughest row" after he being declared the oldest person to complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in 2021 at the age of 70.

Frank decided to undertake the challenge once more in honour of his brother-in-law Roger, who passed away during his first row, and close friend Phill, both of whom died from Alzheimers.

All the money raised will go towards Alzheimers Research UK.

During his time at sea, Mr Rothwell also capsized five times.

One of those times, he was putting the sea anchor in place to keep the boat riding over the waves, when he was knocked over.

Frank Rothwell thanks Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after they donated $2,000 to his challenge.

He continued: "A big wave came, smashed into the side of the boat and sent me over the side.

"Luckily I was attached to the boat, so I was in the water, I lost my glasses, I lost my hat."

As Frank disembarked the vessel he spent 64 days inside, he hugged his wife, Judith, who was waiting at the finish line to see her husband for the first time in more than two months.

"It's been very emotional, just relieved to see him come round. He was home, not home, but he was here, he was finished," said Judith.

Out at sea, Frank's not been able to have his favourite meals, one of those being a "turkey dinner".

"We will be doing a Christmas dinner for him next week," said Judith.

"I hoped that Judith would have plated me up a Christmas dinner and brought it out here," added Frank.

Hundreds of people have donated to Frank's cause, including Wrexham FC owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who gave $2,000 in November 2023.

"We really appreciate that, you've given our cause additional credibility," said Frank.

Frank continued: "This is the last challenge like this I'm going to do, this has been the ultimate, this has been as difficult as a challenge could be, it's the worlds toughest row, I can't imagine doing anything as difficult as this.

"You're away from everything, theres no rescue facilities, if you have an emergency situation you have to flag down an oil tanker to give you a lift, which is not something you want to do because it's going in the opposite direction.

"I'm not doing anything else like this."

The chairman's progress has been documented online with well wishers taking to social media to spur their "hero" on.

Frank's wife, Judith, describes the moment he nearly ended up on a harbour.

Nick Setters said: "True Pride of Oldham is Frank not enough adjectives to describe the positive mind set to row so far at 73 simply incredible. "Having lost my dad, mum in law and aunt to Alzheimer’s anything that gives hope to others is a worthwhile cause."

Andy O'Brien added: "Not all superheroes wear capes. But this is the only one who wears a flat cap. Come on Frank."

There were some home straight nerves when, on the last day of Frank's challenge, he had fallen asleep and drifted slightly off course.

After a "very emotional morning", his family managed to reach him and set him back on course.

In 2021, his first rowing challenge was nominated for Granada Reports Pride of Britain Regional Fundraiser of the Year.