A FOUR-MAN team is about to attempt an epic feat of endurance by completing seven triathlons in seven days.

Richard Iles, Tim Harris, Kev James and Steve Bailey will run 86.4 miles, cycle 362 miles and swim 8.25 miles.

They will be based at Sandy Balls Holiday Park in Godshill and tackle seven routes through the New Forest, hoping to raise £7,000 for the Trussell Trust’s foodbank.

Richard, 50, who is race director for the triathlon group RaceNewForest, has been back in training after a three-year break from the sport. He said: “I don’t actually know if I can do it. It’s a genuine challenge, but it’s exciting.”

Tim, 28, who manages Downton Leisure Centre, said: “I’m still new to the sport of triathlon – I’ve only done three – and I’m learning lessons every time I head out to train or compete.

“7-in-7 is going to be incredibly physically demanding, but I’m determined to make it. The Trussell Trust is a great charity and its foodbank project is seeing a massive increase in need |nationwide, so we wanted to do something to help people who are going hungry on our own doorstep.”

He added: “The major benefit of training for these races is that they’re all incredibly scenic, so getting out and running or cycling is an absolute pleasure.” His teammate Kev has represented Great Britain and raced 13 Iron Mans (a two-and-a half-mile swim followed by a 112-mile cycle ride and ending with a marathon), while the final member, Steve, is battling injury yet remains determined to finish the challenge.

Chris Mould, executive chairman of The Trussell Trust, will run the last marathon stretch with them to show his support. He said: “What they are doing strikes me as a superhuman feat. We thank them for standing with the Trust in this incredible way.”

To sponsor the team for the challenge, you can simply go to www.justgiving/racenewforest7in7.