Athletics: Cooper gets on his Mark for gruelling Strongman Run

"This will be the first time I've flown in and out of an overseas venue to compete and the event is nearly twice as long and with double the number of obstacles compared with the 10km Survival of the Fittest race through Edinburgh last October," said Mark, a records officer with legal firm DLA Piper who also works as a motivational coach.

He added: "The Strongman Run is going to be something completely different which is why it appealed. My view on life is to always attempt new things, big or small."

The Strongman Run, with its 32 obstacles on an 18km course, will take place round the famous Nrburgring motor racing circuit on April 17 and Cooper, who last year covered 1311 miles in 56 days running from Amsterdam to Barcelona, is having to adapt his training.

"I've never felt the need to do a lot of upper body training," said the 26-year-old. "But hopefully the Germany race will be a step towards gaining GB selection in ultra marathons.

"There are around 40 ultra marathons in Scotland each year, including the 95km West Highland Way Run I'm undertaking in June.

"Recently I took part in an Aberdeen ultra marathon and that really opened my eyes as the winner finished the 33-mile course in three hours, 28 minutes, which was 55 minutes ahead of me."

Also this year, Mark is to attempt a world record for 24-hour running on a treadmill while he is also planning to run from Edinburgh to London when, as always, motivation will come from charity fundraising having lost his mum, Sheila, to a brain haemorrhage.