A Little Downham man warmed up for a huge endurance challenge by tackling a double ironman recently.

Mark Turner, 44, swam almost five miles in a freezing lake, cycled 240 miles with a 6,500 metre climb and ran 52 miles to finish in second place at the Brutal Extreme Triathlon in Snowdon, Wales last month – and is already planning his next challenge.

He is to take on a whopping 268-mile run along the Pennine Way whilst carrying his own equipment for the second time at the Spine Race in January.

His wife, Hayley, said: “I have no idea how he does mountain races like this living in the Fens!

“We have a five and seven-year-old so juggling family life, work and training is full on.

“He is also lucky enough to have a clothing sponsor, UVU Racing, who design specific clothing for the events he enters.

“He did the Spine Race in five days, six hours with seven hours of sleep last year and he hopes to do better this time.”