RUNNING more than 268 miles of tough terrain non-stop over a series of northern mountain ranges in the middle of winter is the daunting challenge a Tavistock runner has set himself to raise money for charity.

Peter Gold, a management consultant to human resources technology, is now preparing himself for the formidable Montane Spine Race, described by organisers as 'the most brutal race in Britain' — a mountain marathon encompassing the entire Pennine Way, spread over seven days between January 10 and 17, 2015.

It is recognised by runners as one of, if not the most, demanding national trails in Britain and will see Peter pound across hills and mountains of the Pennine Way, starting at Edale, and include the Peak District, Cheviots, Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland National Park before finishing at Yetholm on the Scottish Borders.

He can expect to race through extreme weather, deep snow, ice, mud, bogs, strong winds and rain in a gruelling non-stop race.

However, Peter is no stranger to pushing the physical boundaries, as in February 2013 he completed the Yukon Arctic Ultra in Canada, where temperatures plummeted to minus 40 degrees Centigrade.

Peter celebrated his 50th birthday this year and to mark the occasion decided to race 500 miles in aid of the charity Children with Cancer, aiming to raise at least £5 from every mile.

He has already completed the Tavy 13, a 28 miler (Flete in South Devon), 44 miler (Classic Quarter from the Lizard to Land's End) and 100 miler (the Centurion, Goring near Oxford) races but this 268 mile marathon marathon is his biggest so far in the UK.

Peter told the Times: 'There are of course many amazing charities but this choice is as a tribute to my mum, Margaret, who worked at LOROS hospice (the Leicester and Rutland Hospice) as an art therapist for more than 20 years with terminally ill patients.

'She died herself of cancer in February 2013 so I wanted to support her work in some way.

'Although I did the Yukon Arctic you knew it was going to be cold but least it was dry. With the Pennines you never know what the weather is going to throw at you; each of the seven days could all be different.'

Peter wants to keep it simple for donors and has limited individual donations to £5.

'Nothing more. Nothing less. I hope this will encourage people to give a little but but share a lot,' he said.

He has set-up a Facebook page — http://www.facebook.com/500mileracer">www.facebook.com/500mileracer and wants to get more than 5,000 'likes' , so he is asking Times readers to 'like' and share the page even if they do not choose to donate.

They can also contribute via the website at http://www.justgiving.com/petergold99">www.justgiving.com/petergold99 or by text ing CWCR50 £5 to 70070.