HAVING served in places including Afghanistan and Iraq, most challenges for former West Fife soldier Steven Turnbull shouldn’t be too much trouble.

However, the 42-year-old has now decided to don his running shoes and complete 100 miles within 24 hours.

Admitting that his efforts may be a combination of running, walking and crawling, Steven, from Dunfermline, is hoping to raise as much money as he can for the Help the Heroes charity.

He has worked out he can travel the century of miles by crossing the Forth Road Bridge a total of 64 times and that is exactly what he plans to do on April 7.

“I was in the army for 19 years and got out in 2013 and tried to find a few jobs and got one at Elgin Street as a storeman with the TA unit so Help the Heroes is something which is very close to my heart,” he explained.

“I have known quite a few folk who have been injured or killed and because of that I have done things like Spartans and Tougher Mudders and a couple of marathons and I thought what is the next level?

“I read about ultra marathons which are more than 26 miles and I thought a nice round number would be 100 miles and I thought I would give it a try.”

Steven, who is due to marry partner Diane in August, completed a training run of 47 miles in 10-and-a-half hours last week and will continue to build on this over the coming months.

“Through my army career I did a lot of fitness as most folk have to do and I have done a couple of marathons but I would never class myself as a runner,” he added.

“A lot of people say it is 90 per cent in the head and for my 47-mile training run, I had zoned out by mile 30. It will be amazing though watching the sun come up and go down on the bridge.

“I am still learning what I need to educate myself in trying to complete this challenge as the tiniest things can make or break your performance – things such as kit worn, Vaseline, pacing, painkillers, and the most important thing after training being nutrition.

“Not a lot of folk think I will be able to do it which is good for me as I love proving people wrong.”

Anyone wanting to help with Steven’s fundraising efforts can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steven-turnbull7.