EPPING resident and serial marathon runner Jackson Griffith will put his body on the line as he embarks on a challenge of a lifetime by running the length of Lebanon non-stop for charity.

Jackson, 37, and running partner John Tyszkiewicz came up with the unique idea after visiting a village in Beirut, supported by the charity SOS Children’s Villages.

They will spend 40 hours crossing mountain trails and uneven terrain without pausing to rest, taking on energy supplies as they go.

It is not the first time the pair have undertaken such a stern examination of their bodies, however, as they have previously traipsed through arctic conditions in Alaska and in the searing heat of the Sahara Desert during a number of Ultra Marathon experiences, which often exceed 100 miles a time.

Jackson used to be an enthusiastic marathon runner, until he grew ‘bored’ of constantly pounding the streets and decided to push the bounds of the human body by entering a series of extreme races.

“It’s about survival more than an actual race,” he said. “I really enjoy pushing myself to the limit. It’s an extreme form of tourism really, you get to meet a lot of interesting people.”

Jackson’s previous distance record stands at 135 miles, but their latest challenge will exceed that mark by 30 miles. The quest will begin at Lebanon’s northern border with Syria before venturing south towards Beirut, extending all the way down to the country’s southern border with Israel.

The duo’s previous races have been set up by the Ultra Marathon organisation, but this challenge has been carefully planned themselves.

Indeed, such is the media frenzy that the expedition has generated in the Asian country, that the British Ambassador for Lebanon has agreed to join the pair for 10km along the way.

Jackson admits it will be one of the toughest tests he has ever undertaken, although he will be able to draw from his previous experiences to help him to the finish line.

“This is the first time we’ve organised an event ourselves,” he added.

“We’ve done similar things like this before but this is the longest distance we’ve attempted.

“I’m very apprehensive but we have a feel of what to expect and we have plenty of confidence from the experience that we’ve gained in the past.

“We’ll be going all the way non-stop, we won’t be sleeping and we’ll be re-supplied with food during the journey.

“It’s all in your mind. Whereas a marathon run is a physical test, this sort of race is 80 per cent in your head. You have to force yourself to go on.

“It’s always a bit of an anti-climax at the end.

“You stop, reflect on what you have done and then sleep for ages! Then, the satisfaction comes in the days afterwards.”

The pair will set off on Sunday, April 5 and they will hope to reach the end of their journey sometime on Tuesday, April 8.

You can support Jackson and John by visiting their online fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/tlu165 and follow their progress through the project’s website: www.beirutmarathon.org/transleb.php