A BLACKBURN runner will be taking on four marathons on four consecutive Sundays in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Chairman of Blackburn Road Runners, Susan Wolstenholme, decided to take on the challenge in memory of her father after she lost him last year to pneumonia.

The 42-year-old will run 26 miles on every Sunday in April starting in Paris on April 3, before facing Manchester on her birthday April 10, Brighton on April 17 and then finishing with the biggest event of all, the London marathon on April 24.

Miss Wolstenholme has completed 13 marathons already in the past but said this was by far the most difficult test she has faced so far.

She said: "This will be my biggest challenge yet and I will have to be very mentally strong and keep telling myself not to give in.

"I've even managed to plan one on my birthday, I definitely didn't think that one through.

"It's all about pacing yourself with long distances so I've got a 10-week training plan set up and I'm just going to be focusing more on distance than speed.

"I'm really positive about it at the moment.

"Part of the secret of me completing marathons so far is that I've been injury free so I hope that continues, because if it doesn't that's where you get problems."

Not only will Miss Wolstenholme be doing the challenge in memory of her father but also for many members of Blackburn Road Runners who have had cancer themselves or dealt with it in their families.

Miss Wolstenholme said: "A number of members of the running club have been affected by cancer and one member faced breast cancer so I guess that's what inspired me to choose Macmillan as it's a charity everyone can relate to.

"My target was £3,000 but I have already raised £2,000 so I think I will surpass it."

Janet Chatterton, secretary for Darwen, Blackburn and District Macmillan committee, said that what Miss Wolstenholme was doing was amazing and that everyone should support her incredible effort.

She said: "This is a considerable fete and will require great stamina and determination, which I might add she has in abundance.

"I am appealing for people to support her in her challenge and help make a difference to so many people living with or affected by cancer."