AN ULTRA marathon runner who is walking from Cardiff to Wrexham for charity isn't daunted by the distance of the challenge, just which route to take.

Paul Edwards, 54, who is originally from Ruabon but now lives in Penycae, has been competing in long distance running events for the last 10 years, with the longest distance he's covered so far being a 205 miles stage of the Ultra Great Britain event.

Mr Edwards, who will start the 135 mile, four day solo hike from Cardiff's Principality Stadium and is doing it all for Hope House, a charity who he has supported in the past.

He said: "I have done a lot of these events for local charities but this year I thought I'd do something a bit different and in a way, more challenging. I've ran for Hope House in the past, they are a wonderful charity.

"The distance of the journey isn't a problem for me as I run very long distance events as a hobby, my only issue is the navigation so I've picked a route that should be easy to follow.

"I am planning a completely solo, un-supported hike from the Principality Stadium Cardiff to the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, linking the home of Welsh Rugby and the home of Welsh Football, it'll be just me, my backpack, the road and my running shoes."

Mr Edwards, who has completed more than 70 marathons and ultramarathon's (an ultramarathon consists of any distance that goes beyond the regulation 26.2 miles) said he aims to complete the walk in four stages.

He added: "For my own safety, I will be staying overnight in B&B's along the route and plan to start the hike at 5am on Thursday, July 18 at the Principality Stadium and going to Brecon, a distance of 40miles.

"That evening I will make my first stop. It's the longest of the stages, hence the early start."

Mr Edwards, who was a former pupil at Ysgol Rhiwabon, hopes to complete the four day hike on Sunday July 21, and says the last route will be the most familiar and that he may even have one eye on a refreshment or two.

He said: "The last leg of the journey to the Racecourse Ground should be about 22 miles but I may call in to Penycae on the way as it's my home village and the pub will be open!

"I plan to finish the journey at the Racecourse between 3pm and 5pm on the Sunday afternoon.

After he completes the charity hiking challenge, Mr Edwards will next be heading over to Arizona in the United States in September to take part in a gruelling 170 mile race through the desert, which starts and finishes at the Grand Canyon, called Grand2Grand Ultra.

Anybody wishing to support Paul in his challenge for Hope House can do so via his

Just Giving fundraising page

.