The Gurkhas have had a great year. Permanent residency in the UK, humbling the British political classes, spending quality time with Joanna Lumley -  they must be thinking this is the best year of their life.

Wrong. That is because they are about to be turned over on their own turf, and moreover at their own event - Trailwalker 2009 - by the Trailrunner 2009 Boys.

The Trailwalker is an annual charity race where teams must compete the 100km course in a maximum time of 30hrs.  The exhausting race will this year be contested by 530 teams. The near two and half marathon race takes place across the South Downs from Petersfield to Brighton Racecourse with 2500m climbed across the undulating route (see image above).

The Trailrunner Boys have thrown down a gauntlet to the Ghurkhas and other competitors this year with a vicious training regime, aiming to get in amongst the front runners at the business end of the course.

A short history of previous attempts by the group and friends.....

- The first group in 2006 featuring Hack, Key, Amos and Tett finsihed in 27 hours, and ended in Amos losing a foot

- The second group in 2007 featuring Jelbert, Lewis, Welch and pRatt finished in 24 hours, and ended up in Pratt almost faking an injury to pull out

- The last group in 2008 featuring Chivers and Douglas finished in 22 hours, and ended in Douglas and Chivers not speaking for a month

So I hear you asking what time are the boys aiming for this year. Are they going to go for the magic 20 hour mark. No. Maybe try to take 6 hours off the group personal best and clock in at 16 hours. No.

Re-write the rule book and bash it out in 13. Exactly. That would have placed them 8th out of 400 last year.

Any sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.

Trailrunner Boys 2009