WHILE a regular marathon may seem like a daunting task for many, how does running the 26.2 miles in the Himalayas with Mount Everest as the backdrop and at an altitude of up to 5,000m sound?

Well, that is exactly the mammoth challenge facing Worcester man Justin Devereux when he takes part in the Everest Mountain Marathon in aid of charity.

However, even before the 31-year-old from The Hill Avenue, off Bath Road, begins running he will have to trek for 16 days just to get to the start line near to Everest Base Camp.

Mr Devereux is raising money for Nepal School Projects, which raises and allocates funds for development projects in the country's rural areas. He is calling on businesses and Worcester News readers to help him raise £2,000.

He said: "Every pound I can raise will pay for some really great stuff to help some of the world's poorest people."

Mr Devereux, who has previously done two mountain marathons, has set himself a time in which to complete the run.

He said: "The best time they have ever had for this race is four hours and six minutes. The winner of that was a local Nepalese man who lives up there and is used to the high altitude.

"The best non-Nepalese time is around six hours. I'm hoping to run it in six to eight hours.

"This is seen as the hardest marathon in the world because of the high altitude. It is the ultimate challenge.

"They're not a substitute, but for training I have been running up the Malvern Hills and I've been to Snowdonia and I've been doing lots and lots of road running."

Mr Devereux is due to fly out to Nepal on Wednesday, November 2.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can log on to his website at www.justgiving. com/justin