NORTH Yorkshire runner Tim Brown dashes into the unknown this week.

Originally taking to running just a few years ago to lose weight, the self-employed Brown heads into his first IronMan race.

And it is not just any IronMan, it is the UK championships of the exacting event involving running 26.2 miles, cycling for 112 miles, plus a 2.4-mile swim.

Said the 25-year-old, who is a member of the Knavesmire Harriers athletics club: “I started running about two years ago and realised I wasn’t bad at it.

“Then I had a go at cycling and enjoyed that.

“From that it has just escalated.”

Brown, who hails from Sutton-on-Forest, added: “I did some training with a family friend and around last Christmas I got a text message to say he had entered me for the IronMan UK in Bolton – so that’s what I will be doing.

“It’s my first IronMan race but I am looking forward to it.”