Two runners aiming to be first under 4 hours carrying 40lbs

Lee at the Cheddleton Christmas Pudding Race

We all know the history from the 1950s when several milers dedicated themselves to being the first to cross the finish line in a time that started with three. Roger Bannister from England, John Landy from Australia, and Wes Santee from the United States each have their own story of their dream, their journey and the outcome. Now fast forward more than 50 years and we have two marathoners both striving to be the first to run up the mall and cross the finish line in a time that also starts with three.

The World Record for running the marathon carrying a 40lb backpack currently stands at 4:42. Lee Riley is on course to smash that record. Subject to confirmation he has recorded the fastest times in the world over 10km and 10 miles this year, whilst carrying his pack. Both were done on very hilly courses and on both occasions he averaged around 7:30 for each mile. His runbritain handicap currently stands at 14.5 from the two races that he ran with his pack.

On the coast to coast run

His training is in full swing. Earlier in the year he started building his endurance with a 150 mile journey across the country whilst carrying a 30lb pack. His run took him along the English Heritage coastline and Hadrians wall - from Ravensglass (Cumbrian Coast) via Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) in aid of the British Heart Foundation, a charity close to Lee. Lee completed this in 5 days running on average 10 hours per day. Since then he has focused on his strength and speed with a big emphasis on interval training. He tested his progress at the Cheddleton 10km Christmas pudding race at the end of November and the Stockport 10 mile race two weeks later and it is believed that he set world best times at both of them.

Lee is a tough cookie, not only physically but mentally too. He served ten years in the military. As a professional soldier he specialised in arctic survival and arctic mountain warfare serving three tours in Northern Norway so getting out and training in the present climate is a piece of cake for Lee and when he's not out training specifically for his own target he is helping others achieve their fitness aims as he now has his own personal training business www.rileyfitness.co.uk

His aim for 2011 is to break that marathon world record and he is also hoping to raise money for ABF The Soldiers' Charity as he explained in an interview with us tonight.

Tim Artus

That interview took place before we found out that Lee has some serious competition!

Flight Lieutenant, Tim Artus is an RAF Cranwell instructor and a seasoned runner. He has a runbritain handicap of 6.2 (without a pack!) and ran the 2010 Virgin London Marathon in 2:44:55. He too feels that four hours is well within his capabilities and he aims to raise money for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, which is the RAF’s leading welfare charity. He intends to change his training in 2011. He clearly has good pace and speed. He has previously run the marathon in 2:35. For Tim the challenge will be to build good strength endurance. He is currently running up to 17 miles with 28lbs on his back. For more information on Tim’s challenge, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TimArtus

We called Lee to let him know that this is now a two horse race. To say that he is now more up for this than ever is an understatement! This competition will ensure that both get the best out of themselves and we intend to follow their stories until they run into the mall on 17 April!

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