A VOLUNTEER with Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue is preparing himself to take on one of the world's toughest endurance races.

Joe Parsons, from Skipton, who only started running two years ago, will be taking part in the 108 mile Montane Spine Challenger along a section of the Pennine Way to raise money for the Grassington based organisation.

Due to take place on the weekend of January 13 to January 15, the non stop race will start in Edale in Derbyshire and finish in Hardraw, near Hawes, and has to be completed in less than 60 hours.

Joe, who works for Farnhill based Yorkshire Sound Services, took up running to keep fit, and shed four stone in weight.

"I soon found that what started out as a sensible hobby became something of an addiction ," he said.

"Over the last two summers I took part in short distance fell faces at events and shows in the dales, and now I am turning my attention to something bigger – well , much bigger."

The notoriously difficult event tests competitors ability to run, navigate and survive. People can take time off to sleep, but the clock will remain ticking.

"We have a full rucksack of equipment to carry - a sleeping bag, food, drink and first aid kit. Then one last sting in the tail is the fact that you are self-sufficient whilst out on the trail. The only support is a GPS tracker strapped to you with an emergency button," he said.

The Montane Spine Challenger runs alongside the longer Montane Spine Race, which sees competitiors run non stop along the entire 268 miles of the Pennine Way, from Edale to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.

Each attracts around 150 people, with this year 16 mountain rescue men and women taking part.

Taking part in mid January, they can expect snow and ice as well as high winds and heavy rain - with much of the race taking place at night, in darkness.

Joe is not the first UWFRA member to put himself through such endurance challenges in support of the team – last year Andy Jackson took part, raising funds for the Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) - which he also belongs to.

To support Joe in his mammoth challenge, go to: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/joeparsons1