Wendy puts in the miles for our Hospice on the Great North Run

A determined fundraiser pulled on her trainers to conquer the world’s biggest half marathon in aid of our charity.

Wendy Richardson put her best foot forward to raise £450 by completing the Great North Run.

Despite the onset of cramp Wendy, who lives in Thurston, managed to complete the run in 3 hours and 11 minutes.

Wendy said: “I have never had cramp before when running and I just couldn’t believe it was happening, but I was determined to carry on.

“Before the cramp started I had been on track to complete the run in 2 hours 45 minute, it was a struggle to get over the finish line, but I wasn’t going to give up.”

Wendy, who is also a member of the Mildenhall Slimming World Group, started running about two-years-ago to increase her fitness.

She has previously completed 10km runs, as well as Race for Life and the Grasmere Gallop, but this was her first half marathon.

Check out the details of our very own 5k run/obstacle course called Battle of the Knights here

This was my first half marathon and as I am originally from Durham I really wanted to do the Great North Run. As a local charity the Hospice is such a worthy cause.

“A team from Mildenhall Slimming World also took part in the Hospice’s Girls Night Out, which I couldn’t because I was doing the run so it just made sense to raise funds for the Hospice,” said Wendy.

Whilst putting in the miles – all thirteen of them – the run, which took place on Sunday, 11 September, took Wendy past some of the North East’s iconic landmarks.

Starting in Newcastle Wendy made her way past the Tyne Bridge, through Gateshead passing the famous international athletics stadium before finishing in the coastal town of South Shields.

Wendy said: “I really enjoyed taking part. The atmosphere was fantastic; everyone really spurred you on by cheering and handing out jelly babies. It was such a good experience.”

With her first half marathon under her belt Wendy is now setting her sights on completing her first marathon, possibly the London Marathon and she is also keen to try a fell run.