Claire Law, 43, from Haddenham near Ely, achieved the feat at the recent Centurions qualifying race in Bury St Edmunds, which challenges participants to walk 100 miles (161km) in 24 hours.
Her efforts to reach that particular milestone were sadly curtailed by injury, though she was just about on course to reach it when she had to stop.
Naturally Claire was disappointed, but she said the physical and social benefits that came from training for the event made it all worthwhile.
“I have always run to keep fit, but race walking is a fabulous way to lose weight and meet friends,” she explained. “I dropped a dress size and have learnt so much about my limits and inner strength.”
Walking 100 miles in a day is a tougher challenge than some people first realise. It requires eating and drinking on the move and allows only the briefest of toilet stops. In Claire’s race there were 41 walkers, but only 23 completed the course.
Claire was inspired to try the event after a friend’s Facebook post linked her to Sue Clements, one of the two race organisers, back in April.
Claire said: “Sue was a great support from day one and even convinced me to join her on the 150km (93-mile) Amsterdam to Leeuwarden walk [in the Netherlands] back in May.”
The money Claire has raised will help EACH continue providing care for children with life-threatening conditions and support for their families.
“I’m very grateful to all my friends and family who sponsored me. As a volunteer I know how much work goes into fundraising and how important it is to those families who use the service.”
Claire, who works in healthcare marketing, helps out EACH’s Cambridgeshire Fundraising Team at events and has also done some public speaking for the cause.
Anyone else interested in supporting the team should contact Grace Nalty on 01223 204916 or at grace.nalty@each.org.uk.
For more information about EACH visit www.each.org.uk and for more on Centurions go to www.centurions1911.org.uk.
Image: From left, Claire Law, EACH Cambridgeshire Community Fundraiser Polly West and Sue Clements.
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