UN zone is no buffer to soldier's fundraising adventure

AN Edinburgh soldier has become one of the first people to ever successfully run the length of the 137-mile United Nations buffer zone in Cyprus.

Edinburgh-born Andy Gillies completed the challenge along with two colleagues, Max Dyck and Wayne Rowett, in less than 60 hours.

They had only four hours of sleep each during the run, which covered a multitude of different terrains.

The team also paused only briefly for food breaks during the 56 hours it took to complete the challenge.

Mr Gillies, 34, and his colleagues were helped by their families over the finish line.

Their journey took them over varying terrain from the mountainous loose gravel tracks of the Troodos Mountains to the wide open plains of the island.

In the past, the buffer zone - which partitions the island of Cyprus into a southern and northern area - has been cycled over 48 hours, walked in a week and driven with ease most days, but the only two known previous attempts to run failed around the half-way mark.

So far the team has raised more than 3000 Euros, which will be split between four charities - Help for Heroes, UNICEF, the Captain James Philippson Trust Fund and the Mark Wright Project.

To donate, e-mail bzchall [email protected].