A NOVICE runner who is taking on seven marathons in seven continents in one year has conquered her highest challenge yet.

Laura Jones, from Shaftesbury, took just over nine hours and 35minutes to finish the Everest Marathon.

The 28-year-old, who ran the London Marathon in April, was one of just 49 women to take part in the race which started at the Everest Base Camp following a two-week trek.

She said: “I was aiming for sub-10hrs so I was really happy with my time. It was a punishing race, but on the final stretch I hit my groove, found a new energy and knew I was going to make it.

"Crossing the finish line was incredible. The whole experience was incomparable to London.

"There were so many highs on the way to base camp too – it was amazing to be among those Himalayan giants, craning my neck at the highest peaks on earth.”

As well as the challenges of the marathon itself, it was also a struggle to stay healthy as a simple bug could have ended Laura’s trip prematurely.

Pre-marathon regimes usually follow a strict routine of tapering, rest and nutrition – none of which was possible for Everest. Fortunately, she acclimatised well.

“Having to trek for 14 days to the start line, while having to acclimatise to the thin air and dropping temperatures - it was impossible to prepare for that at sea level,” added Laura.

“The best I could do was to ensure I was in the best possible health and shape and cover plenty of ground training on uneven trails in woodlands and hills.

“On the morning of the race it was around -10c before sunrise. Starting a race at those altitudes takes a huge toll on the body. We didn’t drop below 4,000m until after 30km and almost half the course was the equivalent to running at the top of Mont Blanc.

"The whole area was unstable and can be heard constantly creaking and groaning as it moves. We also saw some big avalanches during our time there so it was a relief to start and get down to safer terrain."

Laura is now looking forward to her next race in Banff, Canada, on Sunday, June 18.

Following that she will then run 26.2 miles in the hostile climates of freezing Antarctica and tropical Mt Kilimanjaro, as well as races in Patagonia (Chile), and Rottnest Island (Australia).

Alongside her personal goals, Laura is also using the opportunity to raise money and awareness for two charities close to her heart – The Scouts and The Jonny Wilkinson Foundation.

For more information and to keep up to date with Laura’s journey, visit icanrun7.com