A MOUNTAIN rescuer will be battling the elements in a race over 108 miles of mountain terrain later this month.

Mike Fawcett, a volunteer with Longtown Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), will be competing in one of the country's toughest mountain challenges the Montane Spine Challenge Race.

The 50-year-old completed the brutal 108-mile mountain marathon last year and is now returning to see if he can do it even faster.

Mike, who’s head of Longtown Outdoor learning Centre, said: “Last time I encountered snow, ice, rain, sleet, wind fog and lots of mud. It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, but I’m determined to improve on my time of 52 hours.”

The race starts on January 13, and is for members of mountain rescue teams from across the UK. They will be walking or running 108 miles along the Pennine Way from Edale to Hardraw in a time limit of 60 hours.

Longtown MRT is funded almost entirely by public donations and made up of highly trained volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day.

For more information about Longtown MRT visit: www.longtownmrt.org.uk.