Three Bermuda Regiment soldiers plan to test their mettle and raise thousands of dollars by taking part in an international triathlon challenge next month.

Major Andy Price, Warrant Officer Paul Kerton and Lance Corporal Nathan Trott will compete in the Ironman Florida contest on November 4, when they will have to complete a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle and 26.2 mile marathon in 17 hours or less.

The trio hopes to raise about $50,000 in sponsorship, the majority of which will go towards a fitness centre at Warwick Camp. The rest of the cash will go to health-related charities on the Island.

Bermudian father-of-one L/Cpl. Trott, 27, a part-time soldier from Devonshire who works as a nurse at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, said this would be his first attempt at a triathlon.

"I'm confident that the three of us will represent the Regiment and Bermuda with distinction," he said.

His team mates are both fulltime British Army soldiers who have been seconded to the Island.

Father-of-two Major Price, 41, has previously taken part in two Ironman contests. "I have done it in 12 hours and 25 minutes when I was significantly younger," he said.

Warrant Officer Kerton, a 37-year-old father-of-one, said: "The race is something where lots of people take part but not everyone finishes it.

"The cut off time is 17 hours. It starts at 7 a.m. and finishes at midnight and the main aim is to finish. Something around the 13 or 14 hour mark would be reasonable."

The three men, who have been training for the last year for up to 12 hours a week, fly to the US on Tuesday (October 31). The Government is paying the $12,000 cost of their participation.

Derrick Burgess, Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, said yesterday: "I wish to take this opportunity to encourage the general public's support of this initiative, one that will further the Regiment's mission to develop Bermuda's young people, to promote the soldiers' fitness and to support the wellbeing of the community at large."

To sponsor the team call Major Price on 238-3876 or email awpricegov.bm.