After suffering an injury within the first 100 meters of a 100-mile Ultramarathon, Belinda Neild went on to complete the challenge, raising over £12,300 for Moya Cole Hospice.
Her husband Stephen also took part in the Ultramarathon and was so happy to finish with the biggest smile on his face.
Belinda had initially intended to run the entire length of the 100-miles, aiming to complete the challenge in under 24 hours but due to her injury she had to walk the majority of the route.
It took her just over 30 hours to complete, taking a short 20 min power nap in a field along the Scottish coast after mile 70.
At each checkpoint, Belinda was advised to stop the challenge with the support of her amazing support crew and race officials who were according to Belinda “incredible” to her, helping monitor and see to her injury along the way.
“I have shouted about this challenge everywhere I’ve gone over the last year,” Belinda said.
“I’ve raised so much money, so many people were behind me. I couldn’t quit; the word isn’t in my vocabulary.”
Belinda could pay no heed to the green Scottish hills and rugged coastline as she traversed her challenge, she was too focused on her injury, counting down mile after mile.
“Every mile threw something at me; jagged rock, steep climbs, winds that took you sideways then the sun came out. I was hauling myself up those coastal hills with my running poles, fighting for balance on terrain that felt carved to test you. It wasn’t a gentle seaside run; it was a raw, rugged battle with the land itself.”
“The injury got worse and worse as I carried on. At first, walking was alright, but it got progressively worse in the later miles.
“I lost my dad at Christmas time and as heartbreaking as it is, I kept telling myself that he would get me through this. He knew before he died that I was doing this run, I had to finish it for him,” she said.
Belinda eventually crossed the finish line at Edinburgh Castle over a day and 6 hours after starting. She hobbled towards the finish using her running sticks as a crutch but was determined to walk the last 100 meters without them.
“I did it for my dad and I did it for my mum, and all my other family members who experienced the care of Moya Cole Hospice over a decade ago.
