DR STEVE EVANS left Guernsey yesterday for a 350-mile Alaskan endurance challenge.

The consultant geriatrician will compete in the Iditarod Trail Invitational, which involves trekking 350 miles on foot in sub-zero temperatures while pulling a sledge loaded with supplies.

Dr Evans (pictured) said the worst part of the competition was waiting to set off.

‘I’ll be glad to get there now. Leaving Guernsey and the family is the worst bit, but once I’m on the plane I’ll get into race mode. I will be like that until I finish – you can’t afford to think about anything else.’

He said competitors had to complete the course in under 10 days to qualify for a second race of 1,100 miles.

‘I’m hoping to do it in seven days – when you’re out there you don’t want to be there any longer than you have to.’

There are about 38 people competing in the race, which can be completed on foot, by bike or on skis.

Dr Evans, who has raced twice before in the Arctic, said it would not be that competitive.