Three members of the Bermuda Regiment will travel to the USA in November to compete in the Florida Ironman and raise money for a new gym at Warwick Camp.

Major Andy Price, Sergeant Major Paul Kerton ? both members of the British Army who have been seconded to the Island ? as well as Bermudian Lance Corporal Nathan Trott have been training since the beginning of the year for the gruelling event, which involves a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile cycle ride and a full marathon run.

While Major Price is a veteran of two previous Ironman races, for the other two this will be their first taste of what is commonly regarded as one of the toughest physical challenges ? although both are keen triathletes and have plenty of experience competing over the Olympic distance of a 1.5 kilometre swim, 40K bike and 10K run.

?We began to prepare in December of last year and the training really began in earnest through January, February and March,? said Major Price.

?Over the summer months this has involved a lot of very early mornings because of the heat and humidity. As anybody who has done an Ironman will tell you, it takes a huge amount of sacrifice in order to get yourself ready. Nathan, for instance, is an IV nurse at the hospital and has been forced to fit in all the training around some very long and tiring shifts and it is a testament to his commitment and dedication that he has so far stayed the course.

?We saw this project as a way of raising money for the Bermuda Regiment Charitable Trust (BRTC), which was formed in 2003 to promote, among other things, sporting activity.

?At the moment, there is no gym at Warwick Camp and as we seek to promote and encourage active, healthy lifestyles ? not just in the Regiment but in the community as a whole ? we thought that we could set a very positive example by doing something like this and also provide the facilities for others in the Regiment to improve their physical fitness.?

The trio are hoping to raise in the region of $20,000 for the BRTC and have been busy lobbying the corporate sector for support.

The Florida Ironman takes place on November 4.