A FITNESS fanatic from Pwllheli is training up for the “toughest footrace on Earth”.

Huw Williams, 44, will soon run Marathon Des Sables, a six-day 156-mile slog in the world’s toughest terrain, the Sahara Desert.

With temperatures regularly reaching 50 centigrade, uneven sand dunes and rocky outcrops and freezing cold evenings, the race is renowned as one of the most gruelling challenges a human can undertake.

Running an equivalent of a marathon a day, except Wednesday where he will be expected to run two back-to-back, Huw will need to be at his very fittest, both mentally and physically.

The business development manager, who only started running seriously around four years ago, is under no delusion about the arduous task he has set himself.

“Training will be hard, no doubt about that,” he told the Cambrian News, “nothing compared to the race itself though.”

“I’ve already run an ultra-marathon around Bardsey Island - the first to do so I believe - and helped complete a 52-mile run on a treadmill outside The Bar in Pwllheli.

“I’ve tried to ‘theme’ my next challenge to keep things interesting. Before every Welsh Six Nations game, I’m going to run a marathon around Pwllheli’s rugby pitch, 130 miles in total.

“I’m aiming to raise £8,000 and we’re well on our way towards that, anything you can give would be fantastic.”

For more information, or to donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Huw-Williams25

Read the full story in today’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News