A fell runner from Embsay is set to take part in a gruelling mountain challenge to raise money for a cancer charity.

Cathy Bradley, a member of the Wharfedale Harriers, is in training for the Montane Lakeland 50, an ultra-distance mountain race that takes place in the Lake District on Saturday, July 28.

Cathy, who works for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, has taken on the challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which is providing help, advice and support to Cathy’s aunt, who is being treated for ovarian cancer.

“I wanted to raise money for them as a thank-you from all our family for the ongoing help and support they are giving to my auntie,” said Cathy. “For people who know me as a fell runner, a ‘standard’ fell race would not have been challenging enough, so I needed to step out of my comfort zone and go for an ultra-distance mountain race.”

Described as one of the greatest ultra-running mountain challenges in Europe, the Lakeland 50 starts at the northern tip of Ullswater and travels through several locations throughout the Lake District before finishing 50 miles later at Coniston. Approximately 500 people are expected to take part.

“This will be my toughest challenge to date, over and above cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End I did ten years ago for Cancer Research,” said Cathy. “My new rigorous training regime started in January, and it’s totally different to my usual training programme. It’s included long arduous runs and races, some through the night to help replicate the last stages of the actual race.”

To prepare herself for the Lakeland 50, Cathy has raced in The Hebden (22 miles), Wuthering Hike (32 miles), Calderdale Hike (38 miles) and The Fellsman (61 miles).

“The Fellsman was a close shave as the event was cancelled during the night stage due to high cases of hyperthermia and the unseasonal freezing temperatures,” said Cathy. “However we managed to pass the final checkpoints before the event was called off. We were one of the lucky ones that night!”

Anyone who sponsors Cathy can guess her finishing time and be in with a chance of winning a one-night stay, dinner and bed and breakfast for two people at The Angel Inn, at Hetton.

To sponsor Cathy, e-mail crb1@live.co.uk or ring 07977 463924.