TRIATHLETE Andrew Long can tick off something from his bucket list when he tackles the Challenge Wanaka in New Zealand this weekend.

Long, who grew up in Stratton, is taking part in the event regularly voted one of the most scenic triathlons in the world on behalf of The Teenage Cancer Trust.

The full Ironman event is a daunting 2.4-mile swim and a 112-mile bicycle ride before finishing with a full 26.2-mile marathon run.

It does not seem to faze 29-year-old Andrew despite the fact that he was unable to swim a single length of his local gym's 20-metre pool as recently as 2014.

Since then he has become a true convert to triathlons and more unconventional endurance events. He recently came back from a 1,000-mile cycle from London to Venice in aid of Cancer Research and Alzheimer's.

"Over the past few years I have taught myself to swim and joined Team Dillon Coaching which has given me the privilege of meeting some great people and athletes," said the former Stratton School, Deer Park School and Cirencester College student who now lives in London.

"My sister Jenny has been living in Wanaka for the past eight months and ever since I discovered triathlon, it has been an ambition to compete in Challenge Wanaka.

"This is partly due to the difficulty of the course but the main draw is the scenery of the South Island.

"When I found out my sister was staying there and my brother was visiting her, I knew it was now or never."

If you want to support Andrew Long's attempt, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andrew-Long14.