Three local runners will soon attempt to run 150 miles in six days from the source to the mouth of the River Wye, carrying all of their food, water and equipment, and sleeping in a tent each night.

The race starts in Plynlimon near Aberystwyth on the May 27th and will run through Rhyader, Builth Wells, Hay, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, ending in Chepstow on the June 2nd. They will reach Ross-on-Wye on Wednesday, May 30th, having just completed a double marathon of 48 miles from Hay-on-Wye, and will then stay at a campsite south of Ross and take a rest day.

Charlie Newington-Bridges, Gerry Stentiford and Julian Sarsby, all from Monmouthshire, will run four marathons and one double marathon in the inaugural ‘Marathon Des Salmon’. Gerry is a geography teacher, Charlie a lawyer and Julian is a publican and chef.

They are hoping to raise a significant amount through sponsorship and the fundraising will be split between the Wye and Usk Foundation; a charity that preserves the river and its habitat - and the Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice.

The gruelling event is based on the famous Marathon des Sables, run in the Sahara desert over the same distance. It is the first time that it has been run in the UK and, if they make it to the end, the team would like to establish it as a regular event in Wales.

Mr Newington-Bridges said: “We wanted to show that these major events can be run in Wales for great causes. The River Wye is a beautiful river with major economic and environmental implications for us all and we wanted to take on the challenge of running it for the first time to raise awareness for these good causes. We’d love as many supporters as possible to help us along the route.”

They will be running with a tracker so it will be possible to follow them along the route. To follow the race on Twitter, search @marathondesssalmon and to donate visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marathondessalmon

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