Ultra-marathon runner Jackson Williams is gearing up for the ultimate British endurance test - with a helping hand from Dereham gym owner Paul Sandford.

Ultra-marathon runner Jackson Williams is gearing up for the ultimate British endurance test - with a helping hand from Dereham gym owner Paul Sandford.

Ex-boxer Mr Williams, 27, sets out next Wednesday to run the 837-miles between John O' Groats and Lands' End, which he hopes to complete in 13-14 days.

Mr Williams, from Norwich, who used to attend Reepham Middle School, had originally hoped to break the record for completing the cross-country run in nine days and two hours but as revised his target - to a mere 64 miles a day!

He is pretty matter of fact about the idea of running two - and-a-half marathons a day and has been doing a lot of training at Mr Sandford's Joint Effort gyms at Dereham and Swaffham.

Such is Mr Williams' exercise regime that he even caused a belt on a treadmill to burn out.

He said: “Paul has been great and has supported me and I want to get that local support.”

Mr Williams said many people knew him as the boxer who fought Amir Khan, but he wants to be recognised for other things. He said a lot of the feat is a “mental thing.”

“Your physical condition only gets you a certain way and then mind power takes over,” said Williams, who teaches sports science at City College Norwich and ran across America last year.

The John O' Groats to Lands' End run is raising money for the Radio Broadland Kids appeal.

Mr Williams is already looking at taking on an amazing round the world run, which he wants to start in 2010.

To support Mr Williams contact him via his website www.jacksonwilliams.co.uk or call Joint Effort at Dereham on 01362 694322 or Swaffham on 01760 722122.