Northamptonshire villager set to run 240km across Arctic in sub-freezing temperatures

Chris Plowman, from Old, will brave the cold in a five-day slog across the northern tip of Sweden at -23C on February 12.

The primary school sports development manager, 27, has previously completed a similar length race in the Sahara Desert, the Marathon des Sables.

And he says he wanted to “go to the other extreme” and test himself.

He said: “This race ticks every box for me and is a completely different challenge.

“I’ve done five iron man triathlons and the race in the desert, so I thought I’d try it in the freezing cold.

“On three of the five days we’re running the equivalent of a marathon and on day four it’s a 76km 10-hour-plus slog in pitch black so it’s all about surviving.

“There’s no terrain other than snow and ice and we’ve got to run with all of our food so there’s a lot to think about.

“I want to test myself and I can’t wait for it.”

The fitness fanatic is a huge Northampton Saints fan and also plays cricket for East Haddon Cricket Club.

He works with schools to develop links between children and sport for Pacesetter Sports, but will be taking a week off in an attempt to complete the marathon.

He says he is hooked on completing the toughest challenges possible and dreams of approaching the finish line in the town of Jokkmokk.

He added: “That feeling you get when you get when you reach the finishing line is what keeps you going, I’m hooked on it.

“You feel so happy at the end and it’s a buzz you can’t replicate.

“I entered the race in August and training has been full-on ever since.

“The whole trip is probably going to cost me about £3,500 and when I’ve completed it I want to look at doing an extreme rowing event.

“You could say I’m a bit of a nutter really!”