Ten out of ten...

Ahead of the seasoned endurance athletes lies an epic 10 marathons to be completed in 10 days leading up to the day of the Brathay Windermere Marathon next Sunday.

It's an undertaking that Naylor clearly give words of encouragement at the start of the Challenge from the lawns at Brathay Hall on Friday.

If achieved it will constitute a new world record and will be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.

After seven days one, Chris Burgess from Texas, has dropped out. The remaining six, all of whom are running sub four-hour marathons - hope to make the final run on marathon day, setting out an hour before the main field.

The Challenge runners are: l Sir Christopher Ball, aged 72 - had the idea of the Challenge inspired by Sir Rannulph Fiennes' seven marathons on seven continents. Has done seven marathons in seven days and this is the next step.

l Simon Mossley, aged 41 - Took up the distance in 2002 at the Sheffield Marathon. Completed 26 since and runs for Blengdale Runners in Gosforth in the Lake District.

l Brian Meakin, aged 45 - From Kendal. Marathon and triathlon competitor since 1980 and 90s. Had done the Roth Ironman in Germany. Accomplished fell runner and has completed Bob Graham Round. He ran the original Windermere marathon twice.

l Jim Mundy, aged 56 - from Sutton, Surrey. Works for London Ambulance Service and hads completed 77 marathons - aims to complete 100 as part of 100 Marathon Club.

l John Dawson, aged 69 - took up running after heart attack and has 215 marathons to credit. From 2000 to 2005, he never ran fewer than 20 in each year.

l Steve Edwards, aged 44 - At 28 years old, Steve was youngster runner even to complete 100 marathons. Broke a world record by running 82 events in one year in 1992. Staggering 430 lifetime marathons - ambition is to make it 500 by the age of 50.

To make donations go to: www.brathaychallenge.co.uk (Pictures: D7E054VM6/D7E054VM5)