Three months is a long time to take it easy for someone like Ben Thackwray.

The 27-year-old adventurer, of Yeadon, has run across the scorching Sahara desert and returned home in February after rowing across the Atlantic Ocean for more than 37 days.

Now he turns his mind to a two-man speed crossing of the world's second largest ice cap in Greenland.

His training starts in earnest next month with a test of endurance most people would not consider a warm-up.

Accompanied by a fellow part-time athlete, Mr Thackwray plans to tackle the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough three times back-to-back within 24 hours.

He said: "I've never managed to do this before. I did do just over two laps and I'm going back for revenge because I had to stop to avoid injury on third lap. I think it's only been done once before.

"I plan to run as much as possible, the last lap however, running will be a lose term - more like shuffling!"

It is an opportunity for him to test his endurance in the run up to Greenland next April. The ice cap spans around 600km and the expedition will be unsupported. Ben and his friend and fellow adventurer Jon Bailey will have to carry their food, clothing, camping and safety equipment and polar bear deterrents.

Of his three peaks challenge, he said: "It's good practice for Greenland as we aim to ignore the 24-hour clock and work hard for as long as we can before we need to rest.

"Ultra distance travel is a skill, you need to be competent at managing your own systems and be both physically and mentally hardy.

"We hope it shows sponsors for Greenland our capability and determination."

He is looking to attract corporate partnerships for the icy trek, known as the Endure expedition.

He hopes Greenland will help to prepare him for an attempt to ski to the South Pole. With the Atlantic row behind him, Ben hopes to climb Mount Everest and make it to the South Pole to complete a unique Adventure Trilogy by 2011.

For more information visit benthackwray.com.