Cirencester woman to run five marathons in five days (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Runner Jo to make 150 journey from Hyde park to Northleach

10:30am Sunday 10th March 2013 in News By Emma Boden

A CIRENCESTER woman says it will only be an issue of ‘mind over matter’ as she prepares to run five marathons in five days.

Jo Crisp from Chesterton will take on the mammoth challenge next week and end her run at the Wheatsheaf in Northleach on March 16 cheered on by friends and family.

"Donations will go to the Duchenne Children’s Trust which was set up by friends of my bosses after their seven-year-old son Eli was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy," she said.

"I know it will be a tall order but I wanted to do something I could get my teeth stuck in to."

Keen runner Jo will begin her 150-mile journey at Hyde Park Corner in London and finish at the Wheatsheaf where she and Eli will meet supporters.

"We’re going to have an after party at the pub where people are welcome to meet us and find out more about the charity."

Jo has previously run the London Marathon but said she was training every day for her new challenge.

She added: "The training is going really well and I suppose it will just be mind over matter.

"Everyone has been really supportive and we’ve already raised nearly £2,000 but I hope to raise more."

Donations to the charity will go towards research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy for which there is currently no cure.

The disease means the body cannot produce dystrophin - a protein needed for muscle survival - and is the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children.

Jo leaves the starting blocks on March 12 and will reach her finishing line at the Wheatsheaf, Northleach, around 4pm on March 16.

If you would like to make a donation visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jocrisp1