Am I tough enough for Arctic test? Mersey man prepares for ice challenge.

Byline: by HELEN HUNT

A MERSEYSIDE man is attempting the toughest foot race in the world.

Andy Pocock, 33, of Wallasey, along with three other team-mates, is trying to complete the Yukon Arctic Ultra - said to be the most extreme endurance experience in the world.

Under the name Team Helmut, the trek will see them complete the equivalent of 12-and-half marathons - 515km - in six days without stopping in temperatures of minus 30 degrees.

The Yukon Arctic Ultra runs along the northern arctic tip of the Yukon Territory, in Canada.

In its seven-year history, only 47 people have ever completed it, with most succumbing to severe cold, fatigue or lack of food.

Si Bayliff, Jules Bartlett and Carlyle Jenkins will join Mr Pocock in Team Helmut.

They wanted to do the trek to raise money for the Breast Cancer Care charity after Mr Bayliff 's mum was recently diagnosed with the disorder.

Their target is to raise a minimum of pounds 50,000 for the charity.

The team has trained intensively for months.

Their regime includes dragging tyres around London's Richmond Park and going in special cold chambers to acclimatise for the severe temperatures.

The challenge starts on February 15.

Mr Pocock said: "I am excited about the challenge but with it comes nervous apprehension because there are somany things out of our control.

"You can do all the training and preparation and have all the kit, but there are unknown entities, such as temperatures can fall down to minus 35 or 40. That is the stuff we will need to know to manage out there."

Visit www.team helmut.com for information.

email [e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

RUNNING MAN: Andy Pocock, 33, from Wallasey; IN TRAINING: Andy runs past shoppers in Liverpool One as part of his preparations for the testing challenge