An Orkney-based ultra-marathon runner is taking on an incredible challenge this weekend as he bids for another world record.
William Sichel is taking on the incredible Six Days in the Dome indoor track race, as he aims to set the incredible world record of holding the highest number of running records worldwide.
The endurance athlete will make the long journey to Milwaukee in Wisconsin to undertake the mammoth feat later this week, which kicks off at 6pm UK time on Sunday.
The brand new event will be held at the Pettit National Ice Centre and has already attracted its full capacity of 73 entries for the six-day race, with the 24-hour and 48-hour races also at maximum entry.
The centre, which has a three-lane 443m indoor track laid around various ice rinks, will be kept at a temperature of 12C with low humidity, creating a cold atmosphere for competitors.
Mr Sichel is no stranger to multiday events and has previously competed in similar length challenges, mustering a grand total of three outright victories over the years.
Speaking prior to his departure to the states, Mr Sichel said: “I’ve always enjoyed the challenges posed by the very long, multiday races and they seem to suit me mentally and physiologically.
“I seem to be able to hold a pace for very long periods of time without slowing down much and I can remain strong until the end. This counts for a lot in events of this type.”
The Orkney runner has not undertaken a challenge of this magnitude since April when he became the first person to run the entire North Coast 500 route – coming in in an astonishing time of eight days, 19 hours, seven minutes and seven seconds.
The Six Days in the Dome challenge is being undertaken as part of his record-setting ‘Journey to 750’ effort, where the endurance athlete is aiming to set 750 running records at world, British and Scottish level.
Mr Sichel currently holds 693 records – including two Guinness World Records.
And the journey stateside comes as Mr Sichel aims to work towards his goal, setting the target of breaking the record for the greatest distance run in six days by someone in his age group (Over 65), with the current overall record standing at 451.84 miles – weighing in at a whopping average of 75.3 miles each day.