A 42-YEAR-old man will be pushing himself to the limit when he takes part in a race which is equivalent to six marathons.

Ross Whelan from Hom Green, near Ross-on-Wye, will be running 156 miles over six days in Africa’s Sahara desert - where temperatures can soar to 50C.

He is running the ultramarathon called Marathon des Sables in April to raise money for Veterans Aid.

The longest single stage is 57 miles long and runners must carry their own supplies and survival equipment during the six days.

Mr Whelan said: "The psyche of an endurance runner interests me. It is a combination of the physical side and the mental side- it is not just a case of running from A to B.

"It is about being self sufficient and taking care of yourself on one day events and multiple day events.

"Being out for a very long run is a very peaceful time."

Mr Whelan is a financial specialist based in London during the week and is in Herefordshire at weekends, where he lives with his wife, Leigh Russell.

He said: "I am buzzing with excitement. My wife is a bit concerned- being an Irishman I do burn easily, I have fair skin but I will be wearing factor 50+.

"At the end of the day there will be 1,200 other people all going through their own personal hell. We are all in it together."

Mr Whelan was in the Irish Reserves in the 90s, and his family has a military background.

Some of his friends are also currently serving.

He said supporting such a great charity will give him the determination to complete the race. Veterans Aid is a charity for UK veterans in crisis.

Mr Whelan said: "While you are doing a run the only way you can dig deep is to think of family and friends and personal causes."

Halo gym in Ross has offered free use of their facilities for Mr Whelan to train.

He has already participated in a number of one-day ultramarathons and mountain ascents, including the iconic Mont Blanc.

Mr Whelan said: “This race will undoubtedly take me well beyond my limits, but I feel it comes nowhere near the scale of the challenges faced by some of our servicemen on a daily basis.

“I’m doing this for Veterans Aid because the care, support and work it does in transforming the lives of ex-servicemen and women in crisis is amazing.”

To sponsor him go to www.justgiving.com/Ross-Whelan-MarathonDesSables2016. To donate text MDES73 and your amount £? to 70070.