A FORMER commando from Coventry who holds the world record in deadlift weights will be braving a 100-mile ultra-marathon in just 36 hours to raise vital cash for a good cause.
Fitness and life coach Sibghat Ullah will set off on the ‘arc of attrition’ on Friday, January 26, where he will face mountain treks, pitch-black beaches and temperatures below zero degrees.
Sibghat is taking on the task, set on the Cornish coastpath, to raise money to make water wells in impoverished areas of Pakistan.
With checkpoints around 20 miles apart, Sibghat will need to be self-sufficient for long periods, including overnight.
Sibghat served in the Pakistan army for nine years and lifted 223kg to claim the AWPC world deadlift record.
Last year, Sibghat completed the Marathon des Sables, running six marathons in seven days in the heat of the Sahara desert to raise funds for causes close to his heart.
But he said the arc of attritions harsh winter conditions will provide him with an entirely new challenge to face.
He told the Observer: “This is the UK’s toughest challenge, physically I feel prepared to meet the task ahead but after 70 miles, if you aren’t mentally prepared, you will struggle to finish the race.
“Training is going well, I have been going elsewhere to prepare as the West Midlands doesn’t have enough hills or mountains.
“After the Marathon des Sables, people are asking me why I am doing something like this again, but this freezing winter run will be completely different to the 40-degree heat of the desert- I’m going from one extreme to the other.
“I am trying to get in the right mindset, and it helps how generous people are with donating to a good cause of helping poor people in Pakistan.
“When I see the community come together like this it gives me more hunger and motivation to finish the challenge.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/6na644-water-wells-in-pakistan? to donate.
