Turning 60 andrunning wild...

Marathon woman Susie, from Ewhurst Green, had completed around 30 marathons for the charity two years ago when she first decided she would run 60 marathons by her 60th birthday in June 2017. But after smashing her target she went on to run a further 40 marathons, including some 30 mile and 50 mile ultramarathons.

The latest challenge saw Susie raise £1,800 for the UK’s leading dementia research charity – taking her total to nearly £50,000 over 11 years of support for the charity.

Because she’s finished her challenge early for a second time, Susie is now planning to finish off the year by continuing to do a marathon a week – so she’ll have run 52 marathons in 52 weeks.

Susie says she can’t believe what she’s achieved. “It doesn’t feel real,” she said. “I’m so pleased to have hit my fundraising target too. I’ve become part of such a lovely running community, everyone is so supportive, and my husband Mike has been with me through all of this.

“My 100th marathon was the Cakeathon Marathon – a cake-themed marathon in Deal, Kent. It was a fantastic way to end the challenge.”

Susie ran her first marathon in 2005, two weeks after losing her 89 year old mum Peggy to vascular dementia.

She has since become an ambassador for Alzheimer’s Research UK and was made a Champion in 2007 – an accolade given in recognition of the fundraising efforts of individual supporters. Susie added: “My dear mum is my inspiration for running and every marathon I complete is a tribute to her. Having watched her fade away with vascular dementia, I’m determined to do everything I can to raise money and awareness for the dementia research experts, Alzheimer’s Research UK.”

Rebecca Futrall, the charity’s regional fundraising officer paid tribute to Susie: “Susie has raised nearly £50,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK over a decade and her commitment to helping our scientists find vital preventions and treatments is unwavering.”

To help Susie with her fundraising visit:http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/extremeknittingredhead.