A MIDDLEWICH triathlon athlete is preparing to take on his most difficult test to date – the Ironman UK challenge.

The Ironman triathlon, which consists of a four-mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run, will take place on Sunday, July 19, starting at Bolton.

The event will begin at 6am and contestants have 17 hours to complete the challenge.

Mark Ward, 33, has been taking part in triathlons for three years and decided to test his mettle on the ultimate test of endurance – while raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mark, from Middlewich, said: “I chose to raise some money for Macmillan because in 2008, both of my grandmas died of cancer within a few months of each other.

“Macmillan was amazing to my family. The support they gave to us during that time was absolutely invaluable.

“Macmillan also helped with my wife Sheri’s grandma too.

“Without Sheri’s support it would have been very difficult for me to do the training required to do it, which has often been double training sessions in a day and around 10-14 hours per week.”

Despite training and competing regularly, Mark has never run a marathon, and will need to complete one for the Ironman challenge – straight after a gruelling 112-mile cycle.

“After cycling 112 miles I think your legs are going to be a bit wobbly," Mark, who owns his own business, said.

Luckily he has had plenty of time to prepare, having signed up for the challenge the day after last year’s event, just days after finding out he was to become a father for the first time.

Mark said: “It’s the toughest test of endurance on the planet but I have been training very hard, especially through the winter.

“I’m primed and ready for Sunday.

“But I’m not really doing it for any trophies, I just want to complete it and raise some money for a good cause in the process.”

To donate to Mark’s Ironman UK challenge, visit justgiving.com/Wardy-Ironman