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Brothers set for John O'Groats-to-Land's End relay

Clare Lissaman and Nina Das GuptaWest Midlands
News imageUniversity of Worcester Alfie (Left) and Joe Pritchard (Right) with Dr Matt Cook (Centre). The man on the left is wearing a whit t-shirt and black trousers. The other two men are wearing black t-shirts and dark trousers. All are smiling at the camera and there is gym equipment behind them. University of Worcester
Alfie (left) and Joe Pritchard (right) worked with Dr Matt Cook at Worcester University

Two brothers have taken part in advanced physical testing as they prepare for a two-man relay from John O'Groats to Land's End.

Alfie and Joe Pritchard, from Worcester, will set off from the northern tip of Scotland on 18 May. They are raising funds for Help the Heroes and hope to set a record for the fastest two-man relay of the 837mile (1,497km) route.

Older brother Alfie, 27, explained "one of us will always be running while the other is being driven in a car, either resting, or sleeping". They hope to complete the run in under eight days.

Ahead of the event, aspects such as their oxygen uptake was analysed at the University of Worcester, which concluded they were both "in great shape".

The brothers co-founded clothing company Mile Pie, which gives 25% of its profits to charity.

Alfie said they would begin running "half an hour on, half an hour off" before moving to blocks or two or four hours, with the other brother rested.

"We're feeling really good about it. We'll be running through a lot of major cities, and we're hoping people will come out and cheer us on," he said.

They are aiming to raise £10,000 for the charity, which supports veterans across the country.

"We wanted to work with Help the Heroes just as a way of giving a little bit back to veterans and their families," he said.

"They have sacrificed so much for us we thought it would be a brilliant charity to support."

He added they were "massively inspired" by its work.

News imageAlfie (Left) and Joe Pritchard (Right). Both men are raising their hands to the camera and the taller man on the left is wearing a blue top and has blonde hair. The man on the left has brown hair and they are both smiling.
Alfie and Joe Pritchard have taken part in challenges supporting five different charities

Dr Matthew Cook, senior lecturer in sport and exercise science at the university, led the analysis which also provided data on how much carbohydrate and fat the men utilised at their target running pace.

He said: "This kind of testing gives a very accurate picture of how the athletes' bodies respond to intense exercise, and it helps with planning for fuelling exercise, recovery, training improvement and more."

News imageUniversity of Worcester A man is on a running machine wearing a mask while another man looks a a screen carrying information. University of Worcester
The brothers were put through their paces on the treadmill as part of their fitness analysis

Pritchard added it was their fifth fundraising challenge for different charities.

Joe, 24, ran on a treadmill for 24 hours in a pub last year to raise money for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, a charity set up by Scotland rugby player Doddie Weir, who died from motor neurone disease, aged 52.

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