A SUPER-FIT IT manager will take on 45 miles of countryside when he attempts an ultra marathon next month.

Tim Clifton, who works for St Helena Hospice, says he will run, walk and crawl to complete the course which stretches all the way from Chipping Ongar to Bradwell-on-Sea in one day.

Mr Clifton, of Shepherd Drive, Colchester, is hoping to raise £450 for the charity - £10 for every mile he completes- when he tackles the ultra marathon on February 25.

The challenge is called the St Peter’s Way Ultra and runners will have just 13 hours complete the daunting challenge which equates to nearly two marathons.

And there will be no easy track to run on.

The scenic course is made-up mainly of footpaths and bridleways although there are also some road and pavement sections through villages on the route.

Mr Clifton, 44, explained an ultra marathon is any run which is longer than 26.2 miles.

He said: “I’ve done a few marathons but recently I’ve started doing ultras.

“I’ve done one of 30 miles - the Stort 30 - and in my head I would like to tackle 100 miles but I don’t know if I’ll get there.”

He took on the East Hanningfield trial marathon earlier this month and has also completed runs in Brighton and Berlin.

Mr Clifton, also does jujitsu in his spare time and said he was using his training to get used to being worn out.

He said: “It’s reckoned to be the muddiest and wettest ultra in the UK.

“But it’s doable in one day and I can fit the training in around work and my other activities.

“At the moment I’m doing a couple of short runs a week plus a couple of longer ones back to back at the weekend.

“The idea is to get your legs used to running tired because that’s what it will be like in the event.”

Mr Clifton said everyone taking part in the huge run must be completely self-sufficient throughout.

On top of the 45 miles, the runners also have to contend with navigating the route without any guidance.

He said: “You have to navigate yourself because there are no arrows marking the route, and the checkpoints are only every eight or nine miles.

“There’s a list of items which every runner must carry with them.

“It includes a spare base layer, waterproof trousers, a head torch, energy gels or chocolate and a fully charged phone.

“If you don’t have the kit you can’t run.”

Last year, Mr Clifton dressed as superhero Iron Man for the hospice’s Comic Hero Run in Castle Park and said he plans to do it again with his children this year.

Mr Clifton’s JustGiving page can be viewed at justgiving.com/fundraising/tim-clifton2.

For more information about St Helena Hospice visit sthelenahospice.org.uk.