A Runcorn mum-of-two has completed a gruelling 100 mile race, beating the nearest female competitor by a whopping three hours.
Shirley Anderson, who works at Persimmon Homes North West, completed the Grim Reaper Ultra Marathon at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, finishing first woman and fifth overall.
The rules state that the race must be completed within 26 hours, but Shirley finished it in 21 hours 38 minutes, beating her own target by 22 minutes.
Shirley, 45, of Sandymoor, Runcorn, said: “The race went very well overall, however it was painful at times.
“You go through so many emotions when you’re running massive distances and this was no different. When I was running through the night I thought about how pleased I would be to finish and that I wouldn’t be running a 100 mile race again.
“However when the sun starts to come up you get an extra lease of life and it really picks you up. I even managed to find a sprint finish”
Upon finishing I was elated and I am already starting to think ahead to my next 100 mile ultra marathon and achieving a faster time.
Shirley, who has two teenage children, completed the challenge to raise money for Kidney Research UK as her 12-year-old nephew, Harry, has a rare condition affecting his kidneys that has no known cure.