Two Gwynedd runners will take part in a challenge to break the record for completing the Offa’s Dyke Path while raising money for the Wales Air Ambulance.

Gordon Hughes, of Llanaelhaearn, and Laurent Gorce, of Aberech, Pwllheli, will join two runners from Anglesey – Nia Albiston and Jason Harper – on Friday, 22 March, starting at Chepstow and aiming to complete the 177-mile path at Prestatyn on Sunday, 24 March.

The four, who are being backed by Tywyn snack company Wild Trail, hope to beat the record for completing the trail of 64 hours and 10 minutes, which was set by Michael Wood in July 2012.

Laurent, 43, who is a French teacher and chef, only started running three years ago after losing a friend to cancer.

He said: “It made me realise that life is short and that it’s important to try and achieve and experience new things.

“As well as being a chef and teacher, I’m also a running guide and coach so this felt like a challenge that would play to my strengths but also push me.

“I did a ‘couch to ultra challenge’ in 11 months and have achieved a top 10 finish in my toughest two races.

“As this is a run across Wales, it’s fantastic to have the support of a Welsh brand in Wild Trail and to be raising money for the Wales Air Ambulance.

“Hopefully people will give us a cheer when they see us on the Trail and fingers crossed we can beat the time.”

Thirty-seven-year-old Gordon said the challenge would be the latest in a string of ‘ultra races’ after taking up running after quitting smoking five years ago.

He said: “When I was 32 I quit smoking. I’d been smoking for half my life and couldn’t walk up stairs without being out of breath.

“Five months later, I did the Three Peaks Challenge in 22 hours, 30 minutes and entered my first running race three weeks later.

“I’ve done a few ultra races, including the 200-mile Race Across Britain and 214-mile Race Across Scotland.

“I’m excited for this challenge. We’ve been training ahead of the challenge and we’ll need to keep our energy levels up, so it’s great to have the support of Wild Trail as we’ll definitely need their snack bars to keep us going.

“I’m really pleased that we’re able to raise funds and visibility for the Wales Air Ambulance as part of the challenge and we’re excited to hit the Trail and see how far we can push ourselves.”