Athlete shows a burning ambition

William Sichel has been "sauna training" in a special cubicle

An Orkney athlete is to attempt to run a 135-mile road race in the scorching heat of Death Valley in California.

William Sichel will join 80 endurance athletes from 14 nations to compete in the Badwater Ultramarathon on 24 July in temperatures reaching 55C (130F).

The event, described as the world's hottest endurance foot race, also takes competitors across two 5,000ft peaks.

The 52-year-old, who has lived in Orkney since 1982, has been training on a treadmill under heat lamps.

Mr Sichel said it would not be worth going if he did not prepare properly.

"I've been doing about three hourly sessions a week in a special heated cubicle at home which I've found to be very effective," he said.

"It's been a huge logistical challenge planning to do this event but I think I'm just about ready now."

The race, which is recognised as one of the world's most gruelling distance events, starts at the lowest point in the US, Badwater, and finishes at Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states.

The race has a 60-hour time limit and a special belt buckle is awarded to competitors who break 48 hours.