A teacher from Salford completed the London Marathon last weekend, but looks ahead to her 70-mile ultra-marathon fundraiser.
Belinda Neild from Salford completed the London Marathon on Sunday 27 April, using the event for a training run for an even bigger challenge aiming to raise a total of £35,000.
The 48-year-old used the London Marathon as practice for her 70-mile ultra-marathon running from along the length of Adrian’s Wall – raising over £1,750 for St Ann’s Hospice.
Belinda, art teacher at Fred Longworth High School, Tyldesley, will be using the run to raise money for the hospice in memory of her mum, father-in-law, as well as other family members affected by cancer.
She said: “I started running because my mum passed away who was cared for at St Ann’s Hospice, and I eventually entered a 10km race and then I had the idea of wearing a costume to raise more money.
“I wanted to do things and challenge myself each year to raise money and fundraise to challenge myself of course, but to keep myself occupied.” 
During the London Marathon, Belinda was seen travelling around the course dressed as Bee – ‘the Belinda Bee’.
Belinda continued: “I have dressed up as a bee for the challenge, the incentive was the costume will hopefully get more people to donate and it went bonkers with reactions .
“But I also ran as Forest Gump, with ‘Belinda Gump on the back, and also ran as Rubik’s cube with people around Salford in the past.”
Her costumes have also led her to Guinness World Records, as she was able to become the fastest marathon time dressed as stationary.
“I was also a pencil but then I decided to do another one for the hospice dressed as a bee. I have just kept doing running challenges and have so far raised just over £33,000 in total – bit want to get to £35,000.”
And with the challenges and money raised so far, Belinda is putting her focus onto a challenge called The Wall – where she we will be running the length of Hadrian’s Wall for charity.
“I will be running 70 miles from Carlisle to Newcastle, I have gone from three marathons to an ultra-marathon. The ultramarathon is the main goal and is on my birthday and I will have to celebrate a week later.”
Belinda continued to detail her motivations for the run and said how running has changed her life. She added: “People don’t get it, but I love it. It is so addictive.”
“Training for the run the mileage is going up to 35 miles next week. I did 60 miles of running the week before London. It is difficult to fit it all in but I haven’t stopped running since I have lost my Mum.
“I jus want to keep myself fit and healthy.”
Nonetheless, Belinda is excited for the challenge and has strong ambitions for the run as it approaches this June.
And with £33,000 raised in the overall fundraiser for St Ann’s hospice, she aims to get to £35,000 through the challenge.
Recent Comments