Two athletes due to start a Lands End to John O’ Groats run and cycle ride tomorrow enjoyed a pre-challenge training session with an Olympic great.

Utley resident Ben Wood, 33, and team-mate Andy North, are in a team of six aiming to cover 850 miles in six days in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the Forces’ Children’s Trust. Their effort has been dubbed the ‘Ultra 6 Great Britain Challenge’. Two-time Olympic Gold medallist Ed Clancy joined the pair for a training ride in Yorkshire. Mr Wood, a workshop manager and mechanic at All Terrain Cycles in Saltaire, said: “It was great to have chat and a spin up Holm Moss, which the Tour de France climbs over next year. “This was very inspiring and motivating day for both myself and Andy. At one point I remember Ed saying that he thought we were mad!”