The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
An astonishing grandmother of three is well on her way of achieving her goal of running 52 marathons in a year
Di Morris (52), of Whaplode St Catherine, has already run 42 of the at least 26.2 mile races since February this year.
She hopes to smash the 1,362.4 mile challenge by December, despite the fact she has to work every other weekend at the Field House Care Home in Fleet Hargate.
That means she regularly has to double up at weekends, including last weekend where she ran two marathons in Milton Keynes.
She even ran ten marathons in consecutive days earlier this year, all from someone who hadn’t run at all until being roped in for a charity effort nine years ago.
“Some members of my youngest child’s playgroup decided to compete in the Great Eastern Half Marathon, so I just thought I’d give it a go.
“It’s just grown from there and I did two marathons last year.
“This year I signed up the Quadzilla, four marathons in four days which was in February – and then I just went a bit crazy.
“The fact I’m 52 years old also inspired me to take on these runs.”
The London-based Phoenix Running Club came up with the challenge of running 52 marathons in a year and Di decided to take it on when signing up for the Brathay 10in10, a race that brands itself as ‘the UK’s ultimate racing challenge’.
She raised nearly £3,300 for the Brathay charity which helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the north of the country.
“I just love a challenge and the ten marathons in ten days was a personal challenge for me,” said Di who was 16th overall and third female.
“It’s just all been a great experience for me and I’ve made a number of friends from doing these challenges.”
Di, who turns out for the Spalding-based Halmer Harriers Running Club, now has a five-week break from runs due to circumstances, but she’s on course to complete the 52 marathons in the space of nine months.
She’s more often than not joined by husband Rob who acts as regular support crew and photographer.
“You’ve just got to be sensible,” said Di who has a marathon personal best of 4hrs 18mins set last year. “When you’re training, if you’re tired then you don’t run.
“If you’re not tired then just run a bit extra.
“I just try not to pick up an injury.
“I’m just trying to get around with no troubles or trips so I can’t go round these events at a pace that would trouble my personal best.
“Total Health Sports have been great with sports massages. I also regularly do stretching exercises and a lot of strength and conditioning work.
“October is going to be tough as I’ve got the Snowdon Marathon and the Great Langdale Marathon, which is supposed to be one of the toughest in the country, held up in the Lake District.
“There’s also the Atlantic Challenge which is three marathons in three days in Cornwall and the White Rose Ultra Marathon.
“That last one is 60 miles, but it doesn’t matter how far you run in one event, it only counts as one 26.2 mile run for my challenge.
“My eldest granddaughter Ellie-Mae, who is five, asked me one day recently if running was my job as I’m always doing it.”
Di is not currently raising money for her own 52 race challenge, but she is once again fundraising for next year’s Brathay 10in10.
You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/grannymorris
