Five Royal Engineers set off on the start of a 162-mile charity run today from MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
The Home of Football in Kent marked the first point on the runners' journey, which will see them travel between six football stadiums across the country over the next five days, covering an average of 32 miles per day.
Gillingham FC mascot Tommy T was on hand to help the group warm up, and was amongst the friends and families waving them off as they ran out of the players' tunnel to start their journey.
The run is being completed in aid of Prostate Cancer UK and the Army Benevolent Fund, with all fundraising being split equally between the two charities.
Prostate Cancer UK, an official charity partner of the EFL, fights to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life, as well as raising vital awareness of the disease that affects 1 in 8 men. The Army Benevolent Fund, 'The Soldiers' Charity', helps and supports soldiers, veterans and families from the armed forces.
Speaking before the start, run organiser Daniel Tompkin said; "I just dreamt the idea for the run up, and thought it was a good one, so I asked other people to do it with me and they were stupid enough to say yes!
"I'm a massive football fan, and I live locally to Gillingham, which is why we wanted to start our run at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
"We've had a three month training programme that's been set in place, and it's been gradual progressive running, from five miles at the start to thirty miles in the end. It's been progressive but hard.
"The hardest part is going to be trying to get our bodies to last through it, as obviously it's a long way to go."
The Gills wish the group all the best as they complete their challenge.
If you'd like to sponsor the run, and help the group reach their £2,500 target, you can donate via their Virgin Giving page at http://bit.ly/CHARITY-RUN-162.