A vet has completed five marathons in five days, raising money for an animal centre and other charities close to her heart.
Jo Henstock works as a vet at the RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre and wanted to take on a big challenge
Earlier in May she ran five marathons in five consecutive days and across five different counties, aiming to raise £1000 for five charities including the animal centre where she works.
In total Jo’s marathon effort surpassed all targets and helped raise over £6,500 for Stroke Association, Mind, MS Society, Cancer Research UK and the RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre.
She said: “I know it sounds like a mad challenge but I wanted to do something big, as I know how hard it is to find the money to donate now that the cost of living has gone up, but hitting the fundraising targets means it was all worth it.
“The marathons were tough and each had their own challenges but I had a brilliant support crew with me to keep me on track and help when I started to struggle.”
Jo started the challenge in Derbyshire, battling over steep hills and through heavy rain on her run from Carsington Water and to the Hassop Station Cafe near Bakewell.
Day two took here to Leicestershire where she ran from Cossington and finished at Nottingham Vet School in Sutton Bonington, followed by a blissfully flat route through Lincolnshire on day three, from Tattershall to Lincoln.
“Day four was Nottinghamshire and quite possibly one of the hardest but most brilliant days of my life,” Jo said.
“The support along the route, including through my home village of Cropwell Butler was amazing and I covered 28.38 miles with friends from my running group taking it in turns to join me.
“I finished at RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre where I work and 55 people were waiting there to surprise me with cake and well wishes.”
For the fifth and final day of the challenge Jo headed to Leeds, taking part in the inaugural Rob Burrow Marathon.
“It was a hot day and fairly brutal course including a hill from mile 17 to 19 where most runners were hitting the wall. 26.56 miles later though I managed to finish with a sprint into Headingley Stadium.
“I hit my fundraising targets just before starting day five and I’m sure this got me round when my left leg was so painful with very tight calf muscles.”
In total Jo ran 135.03 miles over the five days and all in aid of her five chosen charities.
The JustGiving pages are still open for those who wish to donate:
Congratulations Jo and an amazing effort!
