Reigning Manx Fell Running League champion Ben Corkill is set to begin a monstrous challenge across America at the weekend.

The 32-year-old from Douglas will be swapping his fell shoes for cycling cleats as he tackles the 4,200-mile Trans Am Bike Race that snakes through 10 states from the country’s west coast to its east.

Talking about the gruelling solo event, which begins on Sunday in Astoria Oregon, Corkill said: ’It’s an unsupported bike race for 4,200 miles from the west coast across the Rocky mountains until the finish in Yorktown in Virginia.

’There is unfortunately still a lot of snow on the mountain passes I’ll be climbing and the highest point is just shy of 12,000 feet.

’Weather along the route will vary and temperatures will range from -5c to plus 40c.

’I’ll be aiming to ride an average of 200 miles a day, potentially more weather depending.

’I’ll need to consume 10,000 to 12,000 calories a day.

’I have to carry everything I need to survive, I’ll try to camp as much as possible with only a Bivvy Bag to save money.’

A total of 75 are entered in the race.

Ben’s progress can be tracked at http:// trackleaders.com/transam19