Brian (B.J.) Van Beusekom wanted a challenge for his 30th birthday, but this is beyond extreme: He plans to run 93 miles on a treadmill within 24 hours.

His training includes swinging sledgehammers, yoga and chanting Hail Marys.

B.J. says he has run eight marathons, but has never run more than 28 miles at once. And that was at a marathon in San Diego in which he claims to have run 25 miles before turning around -- with just a mile to go in the marathon -- so he could meet up with his sister and finish the race with her.

Is this runner's brain running on empty? Absolutely not, says Scott Ramsdell, owner of Athletic Performance Inc., the "extreme" training facility in Brooklyn Center, where Van Beusekom plans to run his indoor ultra-marathon beginning noon Feb. 2.

He may celebrate turning 30 on Feb. 3 with one of at least two intravenous feedings he's planned for during and after his run. What would you expect from a guy whose "caveman training" includes tossing tires and hitting the heavy bag?

Well, until he shattered a fingertip.

Van Beusekom, who works for his father's farm-irrigation business in Loretto, is attempting to attract corporate sponsors and raise money for the American Lung Association. He said he was "touched" by the care given to runners during race events by ALARC --formerly the American Lung Association Runners Club and now known as the Active Life and Running Club.

Van Beusekom said a high school baseball coach encouraged him to try running distances. After years of hearing about Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, B.J. decided in 2002, born to run or not, he'd give it a shot.

By the 17th mile, he had hooked up with two guys who talked about a 50-state marathon club. Well, sure. Why not? Thus far, he says he's run marathons in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, San Diego, Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, Florida and Duluth.

Each marathon seems unique, but they have this in common: "When I cross the finish line," he said, "I'm just glad to be done."

In Ramsdell's gym, he's found the perfect training facility. B.J. wants to run five kilometers (3.1 miles) -- a distance he's never raced -- for each year of his life. Ramsdell loves the phrase "caveman training," which he describes as high-intensity, off-the-wall programs for nontraditional fitness enthusiasts.

He's trained runners before. He's also trained Marines and martial arts enthusiasts.

"The world record is 157 miles for indoor, on a treadmill," Ramsdell said. "If B.J. completes this, he'll be in the top 25 distances for treadmill in the world.

"He needs to run 4.8 to 5.3 miles per hour, with scheduled walk breaks."

For 24 hours.

Ramsdell says he'll be there. Also there will be a generous supply of bananas, strawberries, endurance gels and drinks and, maybe, a pillow.

"I plan three nap breaks," said the 6-foot, 175-pound Van Beusekom.

"I know that no matter what, I can always run for another minute, another 100 seconds," he said.

"And I'll pray, too. I'm working on my Hail Marys."

Paul Levy • 612-673-4419