Royal Navy senior rate Jason Sawyer will make Forces history this autumn as the first British serviceman to take part in what must be the toughest sports event on the earth.

CPO Sawyer, who is on the operations staff of the Commando Helicopter Force HQ at RNAS Yeovilton, has been picked – with 30 other outstanding endurance athletes – to take part in the Deca-Ironman world championships in Hawaii in November.

A single ironman race comprises a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, then running a marathon.

The Deca-Ironman is simply a question of multiplying that formula by ten – and Jason and his fellow competitors will be expected to complete all ten in under ten days.

Jason is already a seasoned endurance athlete, coming in sixth in the European Double Ironman Ultra Triathlon Championships in his 21-39 age group.

The race, at Neulengbach in Austria, is a mere warm-up compared with the Deca – a 4.8-mile ‘dip’, cycle for 224 miles and a double marathon to finish. Piece of cake.

And all completed in 26 hours and seven minutes by Jason, who lives in Exmouth.

What keeps an athlete going in such an endurance event? In Jason’s case, a fearsome training regime, including cycling from home to work on occasions (a 110-mile round trip), exercise before and after work, plus break times, a high-protein diet, and family encouragement – mum, dad, Jason’s wife and two children provide the back-up.

“During the European race, throughout the night, I had either my mum, dad or wife with me on the run – without them it would have been unbearable.

“The last lap was run in reverse, holding the flag of your country. It was the most amazing feeling ever.

“People always ask me will I do another one. If you had asked me at 4am whilst shuffling around, the answer would have been a resounding No!”

Jason isn’t expecting to beat the world record – around seven and a half days – but he is going to have a crack at the UK record of eight days and six hours.

Only around half a dozen Brits have had the stamina – mental and physical – to take part in the Deca which, until now, has been held in Mexico.

“I enjoy the buzz, the physical side of the challenge. It’s the ultimate test of mind and body,” Jason said.

Sadly, Jason will not get the chance to enjoy the beauty of the islands as he slogs away at the event.

“The cycle ride and run are done on a race track, not on the roads. It’s for safety reasons – they obviously don’t want people falling asleep on a bike on the public roads,” Jason said.

The whole event, with back-up support, is likely to cost around US $10,000 – more than £5,500 – and Jason is seeking sponsorship.

Anyone wishing to support him can e-mail him at Jason@sawyerj.fsnet.co.uk or phone 01935 455714.