RUNNER Jacqueline Stott is running 159 miles over three ultra marathons to raise money for a running track at her son Michael's school.
The mum is taking on the challenge to raise over £1,000 to go towards the building of the track at Colebrook Junior School.
Her first event is tomorrow and will see her complete the 32-mile Imber Ultra around Salisbury.
She will then complete a 60-mile ultramarathon with her running club from Swindon to Bournemouth in May and then a 67-mile ultra from Watlington to Avebury in July.
Jacqueline, from Stratton, said she’s looking forward to the challenge: “It’s not a distance anyone can do easily. People raise money doing halfs or full marathons and although they are hard I think that by trying to the extreme runs it’ll attract more people to donate.
“The reason I’m doing this is because of the daily mile challenge. It’s a scheme set up for schools to try to get the children running a mile a day to keep them active.
"My son's school was interested but they wanted to build a running track first, so I thought I’d help.”
She adds: “Keeping children active is important, especially from a young age getting them exercising and seeing it as a part of life and not as a chore.
“Even if it's going out for a short run, a swim, playing football or out on their bike, it's essential to make it part of their daily ritual. It can have a big impact on their health.”
Jacqueline said she wants to inspire children to get fit just as she did the when she hit 40.
She added: “I started running in 2011 when I quit smoking and ended up putting on weight on because of that.
"So I thought I’d give running a go as I didn’t want to join a gym because everyone stares at you.
“Where I used to live there was a play park so I’d drop the kids off there and do a few laps around the area and I got hooked from there.”
“If I hadn’t given up smoking I would never of taken up running,” she adds. “I work for the NHS and I seen the what it does to people, so I thought if I don’t change my ways now I’m going to die!
“That’s what I hope to teach my kids and others- to be be pro-active and chose the healthier options in life.”
To donate go to gofundme.com/safe-running-track-for-daily-mile-challenge.
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