FORMER Argyle striker Mickey Evans faced, and conquered, many challenges during his successful football career.

But the 37-year-old, now a successful businessman, believes he is about to take on one of his hardest ever tasks.

He will be striving to complete the 13.1 mile course in the Plymouth Half Marathon on Sunday.

The Pilgrims' living legend owes his involvement in the annual event to long-time friend Peter Bassett.

He is the uncle of Sam Bassett, the Torpoint solider who was killed in Afghanistan on Remembrance Sunday last November.

The 20-year-old died in hospital as a result of injuries he sustained in a bomb blast in northern Helmand.

He was serving with 1 Platoon, A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles, as part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group.

His uncle, and a group of nine other friends including Evans, will be running in the Plymouth Half Marathon in his memory and to raise funds for the Rifles Charities' Care for Casualties Appeal.

Evans will also be running for the I-CAN speech therapy charity, who have provided assistance for his four-year-old son, Eliot.

The former Argyle striker, who retired from football in 2006, admitted taking part in his first half marathon was a daunting prospect.

Evans told Herald Sport: "Arduous is the word I would use to describe what the training has been like.

"I always used to be at the back in the running during pre-season, and I will probably be at the back in the half marathon as well!"

Evans continued: "I'm not looking forward to the Saltram part of it at all. We used to run there in pre-season.

"But it's all for a very worthy cause. There is a strong armed forces' presence in Plymouth and I felt it was the right thing to do."

"The longest distance I ever ran in pre-season was five miles, but I have been preparing for the half marathon by going around Burrator Reservoir quite a few times.

"The most I have done in one go is eight or nine miles but I will get around on Sunday by hook or by crook."

Evans would welcome any donations being made to the Rifles Charities' Care for Casualties Appeal and I-CAN as a result of his participation in the Half Marathon.

This is not the first time Evans has been involved in fund-raising.

He donated 75 per cent of the profits from his 2007/08 testimonial season to five local charities.