While many fun runners are getting their beauty sleep ahead of tomorrow’s Great North Run one participant will be cycling there.

Huddersfield firefighter Gareth Lockwood will set off at midnight tonight from his Birdsedge home.

He is cycling more than 100 miles to the Newcastle start line, will run Sunday’s half marathon and then cycle home to West Yorkshire – all in 24 hours.

“I’m going through all sorts of feelings at the moment,” he said.

“Excitement, nerves, but I’m ready to do it and I can’t wait to get it out of the way.”

The ‘Ride Run Ride’ idea was hatched after Gareth, 35, was mocked by his fellow firefighters for suggesting the gruelling challenge was possible.

He vowed he would do it and raise thousands for charity in the process.

His training has seen him slogging around the hills of West and South Yorkshire, running 30 miles per week and cycling up to 250.

He said: “I’ve done about 45,000 miles on the bike and almost 1,000 running.

“I’ve trained hard, I’ve had good days and I’ve had bad days.

“Some days have been a real struggle and the motivation does dry up.

“But then you get a nice message or sponsor and it spurs you on to do more.”

Gareth has already raised about �4,000 for his three charities, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, Kirkwood Hospice and Yorkshire Air Ambulance and hopes to make it to the £6,000 mark.

He will be supported on the ride by a team, including his wife Victoria, and three friends, one of whom is doing the Great North Run with him and another who is cycling back to Birdsedge with him.

Gareth is welcoming any cyclists who want to join him on the final stretch of his ride from Wakefield to home.

This, he reckons, will be the toughest section – both physically and psychologically.

To get involved follow his progress on Twitter @riderunride

To watch his promo video go to http://vimeo.com/70856092

To sponsor him see www.justgiving.com/riderunride

Are you taking part in the Great North Run tomorrow?

Afterwards send us your photographs, a bit about yourself and which charity you’re supporting. Email them to editorial@examiner.co.uk