A DETERMINED Barrow woman is preparing to complete her very own special 'hat-trick' - running 10 marathons in 10 consecutive days for the third year in a row.

2017 is set to be a big physical challenge for Sonja Foster, of St Quintin Avenue, Barrow, as she tackles the Brathay '10in10' once again.

The 47-year-old has become an inspiration to hundreds of people after pounding the pavement around the Lake District in 2016 and 2015 for the charity's Focus on Furness appeal.

Third 10in10 bid

This year will be the third time Mrs Foster will tackle the 10in10 and it promises to be a big task as she is currently overcoming a fractured ankle, sustained while completing a marathon earlier this year.

Describing the Brathay challenge, Mrs Foster, who works as a duty manger at Park Leisure Centre and as a swimming teacher at Nuffield Health, said: "It's an emotional roller coaster as well as a running roller coaster.

"It's strange. Everyday is different, every single day is different and some days I feel good even if it's marathon seven or eight and other days it feels like my legs are burning inside out and I feel emotional."

Since 2014, Mrs Foster has completed 39 official marathons, the vast majority of them coming in the last two years. Her personal best is three hours 38 minutes, a time good enough to qualify her for many elite races across the country.

The running enthusiast admits she pondered whether or not to put her body through the '10in10' ordeal again but said the allure of a hat-trick accomplishment was too strong.

She said: "It's raising money for the Focus on Furness appeal – that's motivating me.

"It's going to be tough but the adrenaline takes over.

"It's good preparation as I want to do an Ironman before I'm 50."


Sonja Foster. The Brathay 10in10 will take place in May but due to the demanding nature of the feat it requires challengers to start training months and months in advance.

The route sees the select few participants complete a 26.2-mile anti-clockwise circuit of Windermere 10 times, taking in Hawkshead, Newby Bridge, Bowness and Ambleside.

Mrs Foster raised more than £6,500 for the Brathay Trust this year and completed the 10 marathons in a collective time of 49 hours 29 minutes.

The proceeds from Mrs Foster's fundraising will go towards Focus on Furness, a project aimed at supporting vulnerable young people in Barrow and the surrounding area .

To sponsor her, click here .

Facts about the Brathay 10in10

- 2017 will be the 10th anniversary of the event – seven runners completed the first 10in10.

- Sir Christopher Ball originally suggested that the ASICS Windermere Marathon incorporated a 10 marathons in 10 days endurance event.

- Fell runner Joss Naylor MBE is patron of the event.

- The route takes in a total ascent of 14,000ft.

- 20 sports therapists are used each year.

- The total 262 miles is roughly equivalent to the distance between Glasgow and Birmingham.