A PRESTATYN soldier has crossed the finish line on his 96th mile in 48 hours - in a pair of flip flops.

Royal Logistics Corp Lance Corporal Ross Roberts, 25, completed the challenge at his base in Abingdon, Oxfordshire to raise more than £2,000 for NHS Charities Together.

To cover such the huge distance - more than three-and-a-half times a standard marathon distance - LCpl Roberts had to complete four miles every two hours without sleep.

Rhyl Journal:

LCpl Danny Conway and LCpl Ross Roberts have doubled their fundraising target

LCpl Roberts,a former pupil of Ysgol John Bright, said: “It is the hardest thing we’ve ever done in our life, both physically and mentally."

In the days leading up to the start of the challenge on Saturday, June 13, LCpl Roberts and his friend LCpl Danny Conway, 24, tried to get as much sleep and rest as possible.

The typical time it took to run each four mile leg was between 35 and 45minutes, with the pair having roughly an hour rest in between to eat and stretch.

LCpl Roberts added: "The first eight hours were ok being honest, after that hitting the 24 hour point by 8am the Sunday was when it was getting tough with our muscles being tight and lack of sleep.

"I did the 4am and 6am on a pushbike as I could barely walk but I was determined to finish the last one on my feet. All the fluid went into my ankles and couldn’t physically run anymore with the impact.

Rhyl Journal:

LCpl Roberts' swollen ankle towards the end of the challenge

"I had to finish in flip flops as my ankles were to swollen to put trainers on.

"We’re totally overwhelmed the support has been absolutely amazing and getting messages off even people we don’t know wishing us well."

To donate to LCpl Roberts and LCpl Conway's campaign, click here.