A former army officer from Suffolk is preparing to run a marathon a day for 15 days along the Western Front to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Mother-of-two Lizzie Rosewell, who grew up near Bury St Edmunds and went to school in Ipswich, is already a keen runner – taking part in a host of marathon and ultra marathon events in the past.
However, to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, Mrs Rosewell has set herself her toughest challenge yet.
It starts with the Paris Marathon on Sunday, April 8, next year before she runs back to London, following the lines of the Western Front visiting the major battlefields and memorial sites along the way.
She will complete the challenge two weeks later with the London Marathon on Sunday, April 22.
The route, around 360 miles in total, will be made all the more difficult as Mrs Rosewell plans to carry her kit, including camping gear, throughout the gruelling challenge.
Mrs Rosewell, who served with the Royal Artillery and completed tour of Iraq, is raising money for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.
“I had got into doing marathons and ultra marathons but really wanted to do something special for charity,” she said.
“I knew if I wanted to get people to donate I would have to do something really challenging.
“I had thought about doing the Paris and London marathons and perhaps running between the two.
“I then thought about it being the centenary of the end of the First World War decided to run along the Western Front.
“I think the hardest part will be that I will have to get up and do the same thing every day.
“I am also going to be carrying a lot of weight, I am carrying my own kit with me and will be camping out on the way.
“I am planning to be self sufficient the whole way.
“As a former army officer I have seen first hand the work of The Soldiers’ Charity and how much they help soldiers and veterans.”
She added: “Long distance running has allowed me to rediscover myself following the birth of my two children and has given me an outlet to be ‘Lizzie’ and not just ‘Isaac and Emma’s mum’.”
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