THREE days , 72 hours , 850 goals and the equivalent running distance of up to five marathons.

That’s the gruelling challenge that a group of Andover residents are currently facing, as they attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest game of five-a-side football.

The 16-strong group , five of whom are from Andover, are currently midwa y through the world record attempt, after kicking-off the 72-hour long game on Wednesday night.

They are attempting to break the current world record, which stands at 70 hours.

During the ambitious attempt the group are expecting to score around 850 goals and run over 130 miles each – the equivalent of five marathons.

They are due to finish the three day challenge, at the Chestnut Grove School in Balham, South London, on Saturday.

St Mary Bourne resident Theo Strong is one of the main organisers of the record attempt.

He is joined on the pitch by younger brother Magnus, sibling pair Matt and Nick Valenzia and teenager Andover New Street star, Jaydyn Englefield.

Talking before the event, Theo, 25, said: “It just came about when we got together and started discussing things we wanted to do for the year.

“We wanted to do something that challenged ourselves and this is what we came ended up coming up with.

“A lot of people have called us crazy but the idea that we are going to have a world record to our name and feature in the same book as Usain Bolt is too good an opportunity for us to pass by.

“We all love playing football so to be able to get a Worl d Record for something that we love doing is amazing.”

To help the eight-man teams get through the gruelling 72- hour challenge, each player will be rotated nine times in an eighthour long shift pattern.

During those eight hours, each player will play for five hours and rest for three.

The first and last 30 minutes of each break will be used for stretches, physio treatment and food.

The remaining two hours will be used for players to sleep on beds, located inside a school classroom.

Theo added: “It’s going to be tough but we’v e been training hard for this. “I’m very much looking for - ward to it.

“My dad has joked that it will be the best chance I’ll ever have to score my first hat-trick.”

As well as the record attempt, the group will be raising money for small London-based charity, Football Beyond Borders. 

The group are attempting to raise £30,000 for the charity, which aims to help children from poorer communities get into football.

To donate to their challenge click here