300-mile sledge pull is toughest challenge yet

THEY have battled across 300 miles of the Outer Hebrides, run 10 kilometres kitted out in firefighter gear and climbed the peaks of Britain's three highest mountains in a day.

Now daredevil firefighters Lee Peyton, 32, and Garry Mackay, 33, are preparing to undergo a 300-mile sledge-pulling challenge which has been described as the world's coldest and toughest endurance event.

The Yukon Arctic Ultra expedition will see the two attempt to pull a sledge across Canada in eight days, where they will endure temperatures as low as -25C.

It comes after the pair travelled 300 miles across 15 Hebridean islands by bike and kayak in just 57 hours to raise 18,000 for cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

But this time round the daring duo are completing the gruelling task "just for the fun of it".

And the body-numbing temperatures and extreme training required make the February 2011 event their biggest challenge to date. Only around 100 people complete the Yukon Arctic Ultra, and they will have to survive on ration packs of dehydrated meals.

The duo are also gearing up for the 26-mile Edinburgh Marathon in May, followed by the 96-mile West Highland Way race in June and then a mountain marathon later this year.

Lee, from Penicuik, said: "I don't actually know why we do it. This time we'll be dragging a sledge in bitterly cold temperatures without the aid of any husky dogs. I wish there were dogs.

"There was a choice between a 26-mile race, a 100-mile or a 300-mile. We decided to go for the 300-mile to push ourselves.

"During the 300-mile challenge for CLIC Sargent Garry was strong at kayaking and I was good at biking, so we supported each other. This time we're training with firefighter Ewan Cameron, who competed at the Britain's Strongest Man competition a couple of years ago. He makes up some brutal training sessions."

Preparations include around four weight sessions every week, two core sessions, 13-mile runs and tyre dragging.

In previous years the pair have also completed runs for the Firefighters Charity,

including the national Three Peaks Challenge, which saw them tackle Britain's three highest mountains – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – in 24 hours.

Lee added: "Last time we completed a 300-mile event we were supported by Ian Rankin, Philip Schofield and the Proclaimers. The Proclaimers sent us a message saying 'We hope your 300 miles are as successful as our 500 miles'. That message definitely holds some weight this time."