THEY will be his biggest challenges to date, testing his physical and mental strength to the limit.

Former Hull FC star Steve Prescott MBE has revealed his plans for two gruelling events involving cycling, kayaking, swimming and running.

Despite being diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, he plans to run the Paris Marathon on April 15, followed by a bike ride from Paris to the English Channel where he will kayak to the south coast of England.

He will then cycle to London where he will run the London Marathon on April 22.

But not content with such a massive feat, Steve then plans to swim the Humber Estuary in October before cycling from Hull to Liverpool, swimming the river Mersey, running from Liverpool to Runcorn Bridge and kayaking up the canal system to Salford Quays – all in just 48 hours.

Steve, 38, said: "I'm very nervous about the challenges this year.

"I know how hard a marathon is on its own.

"The challenges are getting harder and harder every time.

"There will come a point where I can't do it and, hopefully, that won't be this year.

"Hopefully, I will get to the end of the first one and build up for October."

Steve, of St Helens, will raise money for the Steve Prescott Foundation, which he set up in 2007 to support Christie's Hospital in Manchester, where he has been treated, and Try Assist, formerly known as the Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund.

He has completed many other gruelling challenges to raise more than £320,000 for the foundation.

Steve will be joined by former Great Britain rugby league captain and St Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe, who is a close friend, for this year's challenges.

There are 30 places available for people to take part in the 48-hour event in October.

Steve is training hard for the marathons and kayak practice has started, with cycling to follow in the coming weeks.

But he had a setback earlier this year.

Steve said: "I was feeling really good a few months back and was running really well.

"But I got a bit of an infection and I was on antibiotics, so that set me back.

"I've got a little bit of swelling, so I'm carefully managing my right knee at the moment."

Steve's previous challenges include a 837-mile trek from Catalans Dragons' ground in Perpignan, France, to Wembley Stadium, cycling more than 800 miles, rowing 24 miles and completing a 13-mile run in less than two weeks.

He also walked from Craven Park in east Hull to Old Trafford in Manchester, visiting 23 rugby clubs on the 249-mile journey.

He completed four marathons in four days and last year cycled 991 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats in nine days, climbing the highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland along the way.

To sponsor Steve, or to take part in the October event, visit www.steveprescott foundation.co.uk or call Martin Blondel on 07971 792859.