A WEST Devon children's charity is set to benefit from a challenge that will see runners cover take part in a non-stop relay along the 8,000-mile route following the Olympic Torch.

An extraordinary attempt to run the entire route of the torch relay began on Monday May 28, at Land's End and involves hundreds of runners from across Britain who will collectively run every step of the route in one non-stop adventure to raise money for CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids).

For the Endurancelife Real Relay, each runner will take on a section of the continuous route, passing the Real Relay baton down the line. Despite starting out ten days later than the official torch relay, the Real Relay aims to reach London's Olympic Park ahead of it.

For this to be achieved, the Real Relay must keep going for 24 hours of each day with team members running non-stop through day and night.

Endurancelife director Andrew Barker, who conceived the idea, said: 'We watched the Olympic torch pass through our Devon village and, as the torch bearer jumped in the van to drive on to the next destination, we looked at each other and thought, but what if the torch just kept on running?

'It's an awe-inspiring challenge we're setting and many will say it simply can't be done. But we're confident that the Real Relay will capture the imaginations of the Great British public and enough runners will be inspired to take part and make it happen.

'We're determined to prove that the 8,000 mile journey can be done the real way, non-stop and on foot.'

Jo Smith Scott from CHICKS said: 'We are so pleased and excited that Endurancelife have chosen to support CHICKS in this way, what an amazing challenge!'