TAKING on the London Marathon is a challenge in itself, but Chris Lennon will be swimming and cycling more than four times the distance of the race before the starter’s gun even goes off.

The 32-year-old, along with friends Dave Colford and Paul Bevis, will be swimming two-and-a-half miles in South Cerney and cycling 112 miles to London next Saturday before running the 26-mile marathon the next day.

The team is raising money for Chernobyl Children in Need through a staggered Iron Man triathalon and Chris, of Queensfield, said they were looking forward to the challenge.

“Our training has been quite intense. We have done 100 miles a week for 16 weeks, which is just shy of 5,000 miles,” he said.

“The marathon is the easy bit. Psychologically the hardest bit is the bike ride.”

They have already held a fundraising night at the Bombay Lounge, which raised £400, and are hoping to smash their £4,000 target.

Chernobyl Children in Need was formed in 1999 to help alleviate children’s suffering in areas of Belarus still affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The charity funds projects for schools, hospitals and orphanages in the surrounding area.

“The money we raise can buy three cows, 30 chickens, and pay for three children to go to a respite camp in Belarus,” said Chris.

“It will also pay for three children to come to England for respite for one month during summer 2012 where their immune systems will be boosted. It is enough time for their bodies to rid themselves of radioactive contamination.”

One three-week visit to the UK with its fresh air and uncontaminated food and water can extend the children’s lives by up to two years, studies have shown.

“We are actually funding people’s life expectancy. The money we raise is absolutely astonishing in terms of the impact it has on people’s lives,” said Chris.

The challenge starts at 7.30am on April 21.

To sponsor the team, visit www.justigiving.com/dave-chris-paul