THREE keen rugby players are swapping tries and conversions for clocking up the miles in a gruelling charity challenge.

Gus Hillhouse, 22, and Craig MacDonald and Scott Thomson, both 21, will set off tomorrow evening (Friday) with a view to running four miles every four hours for 48 hours.

The trio will be taking on the challenge, created by former Navy Seal David Goggins, in aid of Harlawhill Day Care Centre.

The day care centre, on Prestonpans’ East Loan, was opened to provide care for elderly clients in a warm and friendly environment and has proven a staple of the town.

Gus said that the trio were more used to playing rugby for Preston Lodge than lacing up their running shoes.

He said: “I would say it is out of our comfort zone.

“We all play rugby and quite like going up the Highlands climbing but I would not say running is my favourite hobby.

“We have all done running before but we are not doing it all the time.”

The three friends will run a couple of different routes around Cockenzie, Port Seton and Longniddry together, using each other as motivation.

The trio all stay near each other in Port Seton, with the lack of sleep and the change to routine in terms of eating identified as the biggest hurdles over the 48 hours.

Gus told the Courier: “We did not plan to do it for charity but thought: ‘Why not raise some money while doing it?’

“We thought there would be a local place that could do with some extra funding.

“I know someone, Fiona Mitchell, that works at Harlawhill Day Care Centre and she puts a lot of effort into it.

“She is a friend of my mum and we decided to do it for them.

“The challenge was the idea of an ex-Navy Seal guy.

“I mentioned it to my mate while we were walking in the Lammermuirs – not to do it but just saying how hard it was.

“He instantly said: ‘Let’s do it.’

“It’s pretty brutal but he wanted to do it and it has come from there.”

READ MORE: Preston Athletic captain takes on gruelling running challenge

Already, the fundraiser has proven successful, with the initial target smashed.

More than £1,500 will be going to the day centre.

Gus said: “The response has been amazing.

“We know a lot of people that really support Harlawhill but when we messaged them they set up a fundraising page and within 10 minutes there was about £300 raised.

“We did not expect that at all.”

Fiona Mitchell, the day centre’s manager, felt the response showed “the power of Facebook and friends and family donating”.

She said: “We plan on using this money to organise welcome back parties for all our members.

“It’s been a hard year for everyone but we hope to be reopening our centre’s doors May 3 so we will use this money for afternoon teas, fish suppers; we even plan on having Christmas dinners as our members missed that, so this money will be used to bring happiness for our Harlawhill family.

“These young lads are super fit but what a challenge – not much sleep but we really appreciate what they are doing.

“We have a wonderful community and that’s a really positive thing that has been noticeable during Covid: how communities come together to support each other.”

Sponsor the trio at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GusHillhouse1