JODIE Minton admits she is facing her toughest challenge yet as she prepares to do battle with double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes in the mountains of Snowdonia.

Minton, who is service delivery manager at LeasePlan, Slough, is busily preparing herself for three days of hard graft in July after being picked for the 2014 UK Challenge.

The UK Challenge is the nation’s leading corporate team building event with over 70 sides, including a squad of athletes from the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, set to battle it out from July 3-6.

Minton, 34, will be tested both mentally and physically across a series of tasks all in a bid to raise money for charity and be crowned UK Challenge champions.

To add some spice to the event, Holmes is competing again, a decade on from her 800m and 1,500m double at Athens in 2004, and Minton cannot wait to test herself against the Olympic champion.

Speaking at a team captains’ briefing at Wembley Stadium, Minton said: “It’s the first time that we’ve done the UK Challenge. Our IT director thought it would be a really good opportunity for the management team to build some good strong relationships and spend a bit more time together.

“Hopefully we will be able to do a good job. For me, this is just a whole new challenge and something I thought would be fun as I’ve done 10km runs and half marathons before.

“At the end of the day, we just don’t want to lose against any of the teams so we’re trying to do as much training as possible.

“For most of us, it will definitely be something we talk about to our children and something you have conversations about as well.” Despite retiring in 2005, Holmes has been keen to keep up her fitness levels and this year will be her third UK Challenge appearance.

If Minton is hoping for an easy ride against her, then the two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist has some bad news.

“I have taken part in the UK Challenge for the last couple of years. It’s very competitive but a lot of fun, and it makes for a great experience,” said Holmes.

“Last year I took part in the night navigation and I remember being chased across a field by a bull in the middle of the night, but it was honestly all part of the fun.

“I have not taken part in such physical challenges since I retired, so it’s great to do something that I enjoy. It is hard work at the same time and this year looks like being one of the toughest yet.” The UK Challenge is the UK’s leading corporate team building event, providing companies from a variety of industries with an epic, adrenaline fuelled adventure and powerful business benefits. To find out more, visit www.ukchallenge.co.uk **SEE Friday's Observer for all the latest sports news and action** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**