A marathon runner is to begin her attempt to break a world record in Chester next week.
Amy Hughes, 26, a sports therapist from West Felton in Shropshire, is aiming to run 53 marathons in 53 days to help raise money for a children’s charity.
The challenge will see Amy visiting 53 different towns and cities across the UK in 53 days, starting underneath Chester’s iconic Eastgate Clock on August 6 (8.30am). She will also be running marathons in cities including Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and London.
If successful, Amy, who has run the London Marathon on several occasions and has also taken part in the Los Angeles Marathon, will beat the current world record which was set in 2009 by Akinori Kusuda in Japan, who managed to complete 52 marathons on consecutive days. The current female record of marathons run consecutively is 17.
“I think it is important that young people, especially girls, can see that keeping fit is cool and fun,” said Amy.
“I was extremely inspired by ultra-marathon runner Dean Karnazes, who hadn’t run at all until his 30th birthday and one day woke up and decided to run.
“He then went on the run 50 marathons on 50 consecutive days, running a marathon in each state across the USA. It made me realise that what may seem impossible is always possible.”
Amy is hoping that her challenge will raise as much as £53,000 for the Isabelle Lottie Foundation, a charity which aims to support children and their families following the diagnosis of a brain tumour.
“If you want to make a difference, you’ve got to do something crazy. I feel really passionately about keeping fit and active, so intend to inspire the nation, especially young people,” she added.
“By doing this, I want to raise important funds and awareness about brain tumours through the Isabelle Lottie Foundation, as well as the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle.”
You can sponsor Amy by donating at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/53marathons
