WITH a demanding job tackling fires for a living you could forgive James Grove for wanting to take up a relaxing hobby in his spare time.

But instead of taking it easy the fighting fit Brierley Hill fireman is set to join explorer Ed Stafford on a gruelling 102-mile non-stop 24-hour run.

James was following Mr Stafford’s successful attempt to become the first man to walk the length of the Amazon River when the former Army officer tweeted asking for people to join him on the run back in England.

The feat is the equivalent of four marathons back to back.

James, who works at Brierley Hill Fire Station, will start running from Nevill Holt in Leicestershire on May 20 at 4pm and aims to finish at Brancaster Staithe before 4pm the next day.

The 36-year-old, from Wassell Road, Halesowen, said: “Ed sent a message asking for people who were interested in taking part.

“In a mad moment back in November it sounded like a bit of a challenge - I thought I could do with a challenge!

“I agreed to do it and Ed sent me a map of the route and I had to keep zooming out to get it all on the screen!”

James will join Ed and five other people he has never met before who signed up for the challenge dubbed the Century Ultra Marathon.

The main charity benefitting from the run will be the Teenage Cancer Trust, but James will be donating his sponsorship to the Firefighters Charity and FASTAid, which provides medical equipment to community first responders.

James said one of the most difficult aspects of the challenge will be having to drink liquid meals on the go. But failure is not an option for the married father who has two children and two stepchildren.

He said: “I will complete it no matter what - if I don’t I will get a lot of stick.”

To sponsor James visit http://tinyurl.com/6xvpgdv