AN Abergavenny man has recently returned from the Arctic Circle after finishing ahead of Royal Marines and full-time endurance athletes in what is considered the toughest, coldest and windiest extreme ultra marathon on the planet.

In fact you might say that the 6633 Ultra as it is more commonly known has a licence to 'chill' the heartiest of marrow and temper the steeliest of resolves.

Yet for local businessman Tony Kelly it was a challenge he couldn't resist and earlier this March he set off to compete in the fifth annual installment of what is probably the toughest event of its kind on the planet.

Billed as a 'true Arctic experience' the icy event is known as a real 'chiller' and promises participants all the cold delights the Arctic has to throw at them .

6333 is the latitude in degrees and minutes of the Arctic Circle which patiently waits to enfold foolhardy competitors in its icy embrace.

The event covers a distance of either 120 or 350 miles dependent on the participant's preference.

For the duration competitors are expected to race non stop on foot and be predominately self sufficient for the entire time, and it's tough, it's really tough.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg!

In the last four years only five athletes have managed to finish the 350 mile race.

Before entering participants are warned not to be fooled by the stunning location, as it is also one of the harshest, most unforgiving environments known to man or beast.

Temperatures are usually to be found in the minus forties and in recent years, temperatures have even plummeted to a teeth-chattering -93 C,

That's before you take into account the natural born 'chiller' winds which govern the land and can make a person feel like they're having the very flesh stripped clean off their bones.

Into this Arctic arena of ice and torment, stepped Abergavenny's very own answer to Scott of the Antarctic - Mr Tony Kelly.

Alongside 11 other contestants including marines, endurance athletes and S4C presenter Lowri Morgan, Tony stepped up to do battle with the icy legions of the snow queen.

On the 120 mile mark, all the athletes, including the marines dropped out of the race leaving only Tony and Lowri with a chance to wipe the smile off Jack Frost's fat frozen face.

Tony went on to brass it out for another 80 miles, totalling a distance of 200 miles over four days before finally succumbing to the 'big chill'.

Leaving Lowri to become only the sixth person to complete the race.

Tony's wife Shelly Kelly told the Chronicle, "Tony said he has never experienced anything like the 6633 Ultra in his life. Both his physical and mental strength were tested to the max in the toughest, coldest and windiest extreme ultra on the planet.

"To come second overall out of the 12 contestants is an achievement beyond belief. Not many people can say they have had a true Arctic experience.

"I would like to say a big 'well done' to Tony. You're a true legend in the eyes of your family and friends."

The documentary series 'Ras Yn Erbyn Amser' detailing Tony and his fellow contestants adventures in the Arctic can be seen on S4C tonight and every consecutive Thursday for the next two weeks.