All 26.2 miles of a marathon are tough enough for most people, but for some – such as Alexandra Ehlen of Northwich – the urge to run nearly double that, and for charity, is a challenge of a different order of magnitude.
And while the London Marathon has an ascent of around 140 yards, the Pennine Barrier Ultra 50 Mile Alexandra will run on May 6 – taking in Malham Cove, Malham Tarn, Fountains Fell, Janet’s Foss, and the Yorkshire three peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough – has a total ascent of around 8,500 feet, or just over 1.6 miles.
It is not for the faint-hearted, but Alexandra (47) is no stranger to endurance events and 50-mile ultramarathons.
She most recently ran the GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool 50-miler on Good Friday, but says that the ascent in the Pennines ultra will make this her toughest single-day challenge yet.
Alexandra, who manages corporate contracts for the British Red Cross, explained her reasons for running this gruelling race for SSAFA, saying:
“I don’t have a direct connection to the Armed Forces – although I was a cadet in 146 (Northwich) Air Training Corps as a teenager – but I do have family and friends who served in the Armed Forces, or still are, including in the Army, Paras, and the Royal Navy.
“SSAFA is the oldest tri-service charity in the UK, and by fundraising for it, I can support those serving, those who have served, and those who will serve, just as SSAFA has done since 1885.”
Alexandra has set a target of £500 for SSAFA, and although there is some way to go, she aims to smash it. To donate, visit justgiving.com/page/alexandra-ehlen-1681122712596.
For more information, visit ssafa.org.uk.
