Ian Fisher received plenty of funny looks while training in a ski suit - but his unconventional methods paid off with an exceptional run in Africa.

Bradford athlete Fisher, who is Yorkshire's top long-distance runner, secured a podium finish in Nairobi when representing Team GB in a unique trans-global event.

The £900,000 Greatest Race on Earth

is a four-marathon relay and Fisher claimed a bronze medal in the first leg behind athletes from Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Fisher turned plenty of heads while pounding the streets of Bradford dressed in ski clothing but said he was thrilled with his time of 2hr 29min 30sec.

"Running in Kenya was tough but I'm pleased to have put Team GB in third place overall," he said.

Fisher, who works for a paint company as a delivery driver, said his unorthodox training had been designed to help him acclimatise to the 1,600 metres altitude.

"A few people commented but I needed to get used to the intense heat and the lack of oxygen," he said.

"Running in ski clothing was the best way to replicate the conditions I faced when I arrived in Nairobi.

"I was running about 100 miles a week in training. On Sundays I got my skiing clothes on and went off to run for three hours. I got a lot of funny looks but it was ideal preparation."

Fisher, who runs for Otley Athletic Club and Idle Athletic Club, is county champion at distances of ten miles, half-marathon and 20 miles but found

running in Africa to be a unique experience.

"It's an honour to be representing Team GB in The Greatest Race on Earth," he said.

"The event is a four-marathon relay in Nairobi, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong. It's run like a relay and the team with the fastest cumulative time wins."

Last year Fisher was selected to run in the inaugural event and took part in the third leg in Mumbai, coming home in 2hr 29min.

A different competitor from each team will run in Singapore (December 4), Mumbai (January 15, 2006) and Hong Kong (February 12). There is also an individual competition for runners strong enough to complete all four races.

More than 80 teams and 30 individuals are expected to compete, which is

double the number last year.

The event is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, whose group director Mike DeNoma said: "It takes great teamwork, courage, determination and commitment to participate in a race like this."