A runner, who fought through the heartache of losing her dad to dementia, is set to tackle a 76-mile marathon challenge in his memory.

Sidmouth Herald: Tracey Paddon is tackling Atlantic Coast Challenge in memory of her dadTracey Paddon is tackling Atlantic Coast Challenge in memory of her dad (Image: Archant)

Early this summer, Tracey Paddon and her husband Guy completed 100 miles in eight days, raising £4,800 for Force cancer charity. Far from stopping there, the couple are now in training ready to undertake three marathons in three days.

The gruelling 76-mile Atlantic Coast Challenge will take them across the rugged terrain of the Cornish coast.

For Tracey, of Raleigh Road, Ottery, it is a particularly poignant challenge in honour of her dad, Peter Campbell, and also running in aid of BRACE, a charity that funds scientific research into dementia.

The senior fitness and pilates instructor at Ottery Leisure Centre said: “I recently lost my dad to dementia and my father-in-law had dementia, so I decided to raise money for BRACE so that they can continue to fund research into this debilitating disease and, hopefully, one day a cure can be found. There are a lot of people affected by dementia in its many forms. I’m doing it in memory of my dad and for a cause very close to my heart. We are running every weekend to train. We are trying to do a lot of hilly coastal routes.”

The challenge takes place from October 7 - 9 and incorporates three 26-mile marathons, with runners travelling from North of Constantine Bay to Perranporth on day one, to St Ives Bay Holiday Park on day two and on to Land’s End by the final day.

Tracey – who until recently had never run a marathon before – admitted it will be a particularly tough challenge, but hopes it will help boost the charity and prevent others from suffering the pain of dementia.

To support Tracey, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tracey-Paddon1