AMMAN (JT) - Danish ultra-runner Jesper Olsen will run throughout the Kingdom as part of the world’s longest nonstop marathon.

After his arrival on Thursday, Olsen was due to run from Ramtha to Jerash and Amman and then all the way to Aqaba by December 24, accompanied at times by different local runners, who will join in for certain distances, according to a statement released by the Danish embassy in Amman on Thursday.

Olsen’s efforts come as part of World Run II Project: The North-South Run, which aims at covering a distance of 40,000km passing through four continents in three years.

The marathon began in Nordkapp, Norway, on July 1, 2008, with the finish point in New Foundland, Canada, expected to be reached by the end of 2010.

Upon his arrival in the Kingdom, Olsen already completed more than 8,000km.

According to the Danish athlete, the run is a “celebration of the earth and the possibilities it provides for those who are ready to grab them” and the ability to overcome obstacles.

Local runners to accompany Olsen include Ammar Sabbah, a TV host and member of the Amman Road Runners Club.

Olsen, 36, has been a competitive runner since the age of 15 and in 2005 he completed the first World Run with a distance of 26,232km. With World Run II, he is trying to break his own record of ultra-running as well as the world record.

Further information on Olsen’s progress can be found at www.worldrun.org.