A TEAM of Helsby Running Club members and businessmen will tackle one of the oldest extreme multi-sport endurance races in the world to raise money for charity.

The five-strong Silver Surfers team are taking part in the challenging Three Peaks Yacht Race, which involves sailing 389 nautical miles, running 59 miles and cycling 30 miles in a week – sailing from Barmouth on Saturday, June 19, via Caernarfon to climb Snowdon; Whitehaven to climb Scafell Pike and finally on to Fort William to climb Ben Nevis.

Helsby Running Club members Phil Gillard, Jackie Keasley and boat owner and captain Trevor Murphy will do all the running and cycling and also act as deck hands.

Businessmen John Bailey and Richard Stone will sail the team’s yacht, Josephine – a Beneteau Oceanis 40 and one of the largest of the 23 boats in the race – through some of the trickiest waters of the Welsh, English and Scottish west coasts, navigating sandbanks, tidal streams, rocks and whirlpools.

“This is the grandfather of all three peaks races,” said Jackie, 51, of the Paddock, Helsby, a physicist.

“Three marathons in three to five days with maximum climbing is no easy task when we may have to run at night, unsteady on our feet due to sea sickness and having had little sleep.

“But we will be raising money for a number of local charities; the Hospice of the Good Shepherd near Chester; St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green; SOS Children and Round Table Children’s Wish.

“There are a number of competitions within the race, for sailing legs, running legs, handicap scores, the King of the Mountains title and even for being last to finish and slowest on the hills.

“We don’t expect to be in the leading pack, our aim is to finish and win a trophy.”