To mark the 40th anniversary of the Bermuda Marathon Weekend, former Island resident Ronnie Wong intends to complete 40 miles on Sunday by continuing for a third lap after completing the marathon.

It will be Wong’s 31st Bermuda Marathon and the 295th marathon of his career, which started around 1980 when he was a chef at the former Castle Harbour Hotel. His unusual endurance challenge is set to benefit St John Ambulance Bermuda. He will wear the green, black and white colours of the organisation as he runs three laps of the 13.1-mile half-marathon course. He will run two laps to complete the marathon race, which he expects to take around 3hr 49min, but instead of stopping at the end of that race he will propel himself onwards for another lap to reach the 40-mile target.

US-based Wong, 68, wants to give back to the Island he once called home, and which he loves to visit each January to compete in the races.

The idea of running 40 miles came about after Bermuda’s Lee Tucker, a close friend and a road race stalwart, visited him last year. Tucker said: “I was in contact with Ronnie and I told him it was the 40th anniversary this year and why didn’t he do something special. He decided he would run 40 miles.

“And then I thought about what charity could benefit. St John Ambulance have been helping us all these years, so this is a perfect opportunity for sportsmen and women to raise some funds for them.”

Wong’s extensive background as a marathon runner and ultra runner — he has run 24 races over 50 miles — will stand him in good stead for the 40-mile challenge. However, he is not underestimating the task, particularly considering Bermuda’s rolling hills and humidity.

Tucker is encouraging the public to look out for Wong, who will be wearing a running kit with the distinctive St John Ambulance colour scheme, and offer him as much support as they can. A number of schools and other groups have prepared “Go Ronnie, Go!” banners. Motorists are also asked to give Wong some space as he runs his lonely third lap on the marathon course.

Wong has his sights set on catching some of the marathon runners who are still on their second lap as he runs his third. “He’d like to overtake a few runners who are still out on their second lap. His goal is not to be the last runner to finish.”

St John Ambulance will have three vehicles at the Bermuda Marathon Weekend events. Recruitment and media relations officer Jeffrey Borges, who is also a medic first responder and ambulance driver, said: “I’d like to thank Mr Wong for this support and I wish him all the best. We will have some of our people out supporting him and waiting to welcome him at the finish line.”

St John Ambulance is fully operated by volunteers who have various levels of medical expertise. On an average weekend the organisation attends up to eight sporting events.

Borges said: “We are always looking for volunteers. If anyone is looking to get into the medical field it is a great place to start.”

Anyone who would like to support Wong and his efforts to help St John Ambulance can do so by making a donation, either through credit card, cheque or direct debit or bank transfer. St John Ambulance’s headquarters is at 21 Point Finger Road, Paget. Donations can be made at the office, or by calling 236-7831 or e-mailing: media@sjabermuda.org.

Anyone making a donation is asked to quote either “race weekend” or “Ronnie Wong”.

The St John Ambulance volunteers will also have collection buckets at the finish lines of the weekend’s race where runners and spectators can make a donation.

Ronnie Wong, is listed as a Bermuda Triangle Full Challenge competitor, and will wear number 1830.