One man makes mockery of the London Marathon

10:56am Sunday 15th April 2007

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Ask most people what they consider to be the ultimate physical challenge, and the London Marathon would probably feature.

But for Peter Chandler from Worcester Park, the 26-mile race is a walk in the park compared to the sort of distances he is used to running Peter, who is a member of running club the Wimbledon Windmilers, will embark on an epic 145-mile run in May.

"I had a few minor hallucinations last year, thinking a parked van and a fallen tree were moving towards me. Towards the end, your brain basically goes, so it's nice to have someone with you so you can just concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other."

Peter Chandler

He will forego sleep to run alongside the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to London, stopping for a maximum of just 40 minutes at a time.

This is the second time the determined 39-year-old will attempt the run, having completed it last year in 41 hours and 50 minutes.

He said: "It was OK for the first 70 miles. After that point, you can have a running buddy who goes along with you and makes sure you don't fall into the canal.

"I had a few minor hallucinations last year, thinking a parked van and a fallen tree were moving towards me. Towards the end, your brain basically goes, so it's nice to have someone with you so you can just concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other."

He plans to tackle the distance in bursts of 40-minute runs followed by 20-minute walks, and a support crew will keep him topped up with enough to eat and drink at various stages along the way.

In between training he will even squeeze in the more manageable London Mara- thon - his fifth one. Last October, the Wimbledon Windmiler managed three marathons in as many days.

Peter completed the Grand Union Canal Run last year in aid of Bowel Cancer UK. This year he is running for the Neil Harris Everyman Appeal, launched after the Millwall footballer was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

To sponsor Peter, visit just giving.com/petec_gucr_neilharris.