Ottery woman's marathon quest for Cystic Fibrosis Trust

AN Ottery woman has donned her running shoes in a bid to raise �500 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

AN Ottery woman has donned her running shoes in a bid to raise �500 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Primary School teacher Julie Payne, 44, has been clocking up the miles around Ottery in preparation for the 26-mile Tresco Marathon in the Isles of Scilly on April 26.

Julie, who will lap the island seven and a half times on her quest, only took up running three years ago.

She said: "Initially I joined a Friday morning running group and then increased this to three times a week in preparation for The Great West Run in 2007. I have completed several more half marathons since then and joined the Women's Running Network which has been brilliant in terms of advice, support and encouragement. I would recommend it to any woman who would like to have a go at running."

"I have had to increase my weekly mileage so that I now run between four or five times a week in order to reach the level required to run 26.2 miles. As April 26 looms closer, I'm becoming increasingly excited and nervous. It will be a great opportunity to raise money for such a worthwhile cause and to achieve this physical ambition."

The Tresco Marathon was started 10 years ago by a chef local on the Island whose daughter suffers from the disease. Since then the Marathon has gained more and more recognition with celebrities such as Bill Bryson competing. However, due to the size of the Island the number of runners taking part is capped at 130.

If you would like to support Julie in her quest you can sponsor her by visiting her fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/juliedawnpayne.