A FORMER Brent councillor is showing his support for St Luke’s Hospice this summer by taking on a gruelling Ironman competition in Germany.

On July 8, former Liberal Democrat councillor for Tokyngton Ward, Peter Corcoran, will be representing Ireland in the veteran category at one of the world’s toughest sporting challenges.

The Ironman European Championships is a triathlon endurance event that entails a 4km swim, 180km of biking and a 42.2km run.

Contestants will have to endure a 4,000 metre open water swim before taking on a 180 kilometre cycle consisting of famously difficult climbs including “The Hell, Heart Break Hill, The Beast, and Chicken Mountain”.

Once he has made it through that he will face a 42.2k marathon run with embankments and mountain stairs.

He may also have to battle against the elements as in recent years temperatures have twice reached 36 degrees.

To make things more difficult the event has nine disqualifying sectors to keep athletes on Ironman Pace and the course has been slashed from 17 hours to just 15 hours - making it the world’s most challenging for speed and third most gruelling for terrain.

Speaking about the task ahead of him Mr Corcoran, of Mostyn Avenue, Wembley, said: “I have been reading the blog of people who have run this race and it will be by far the most difficult challenge of my 30 years of endurance.

“This is the mother of speed and obstacle endurance I will give it my all though and I hope that will be enough to avoid the race directors red card.

“I am very grateful to the team at Living Well Wembley for allowing me use their specialist equipment and saunas for heat endurance training.”

He is tackling the course in aid of St Luke’s Hospice and he added: “It is for a fantastic cause.

“St Luke’s do great work for our community and everyone in our local area is rightly proud of the work they do.

“I hope that people will be able to sponsor my endurance event to help St Luke’s continue their great work.”

“I am particularly trying to encourage people to support St Luke’s Pledge 2 Pedal cycle event on Sunday, May 20, as we want to get as many people as possible out for this leisurely cycle.”

Donations can be made to Mr Corcoran online at www.justgiving.com/Peter-Corcoran1.