TWO friends are preparing to endure 50 miles of pain for a good cause when they run to compete in the Cardiff Half Marathon before jogging back to Caerleon, writes Jason Batty.

Derick Paginton and Bradley Quinn are no strangers to challenges having completed several Ironman competitions together in recent years but their first ultra marathon will top all of their past sporting achievements.

The duo are taking on the task to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, starting from the old Roman town to get to the start line in the capital at 10am.

They will complete the 13.1miles in Cardiff before running back to Caerleon for a fundraiser at Minstrels Sports Bar.

Ironman Paginton knows the task will eclipse his previous sporting endeavours.

"This would be astronomical compared to all that, it's crazy," he said. "I am under no illusions, this is going to be horrendous, but we are determined. If we can raise money for a good cause, let's do it."

"I have never run that far before, it going to hurt, I am expecting to feel absolutely terrible!"

"Darren jumped at the idea and has got the miles in muscle memory, so I hope he gets me over the line.

"We are extremely competitive, it's even a race to the bar when we are together. Everything we do, we do is good natured competition.

"I am hoping it's the start of our ultra marathon journey. There are a few races out there that I look at and want to do in the future, so this is the start of something. You have to love pain more than you hate quitting!"

Donate to the pair at justgiving.com/fundraising/rebecca-paginton