A 30-YEAR-OLD Dorset mum is one of only a few hundred women to complete the world's toughest mountain race, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.

Freelance writer Kelly Lucas was the 48th fastest woman in this year's UTMB, a trail race spanning 104 miles and around 10,000m of climbing through France, Italy and Switzerland.

Despite a rigorous application process, around half of the 2,500 runners don't even make it past the finishing line.

Kelly, who lives in Poole with her partner Kris and her five year-old daughter, told the Echo: "Running a marathon was on my bucket list and I really enjoyed it so I decided to do another marathon after my daughter was born because I thought it would be a good way to get fit.

"I have been trying to get into the UTMB through the lottery system for three years. I thought I knew what to expect but honestly the whole event surpassed my expectations."

Around 900 people dropped out of this year's event due to the hot weather which hit around 35C in places.

But despite the heat and a fall which left her with a gash on her knee and a split lip, Kelly was determined to finish in under 40 hours. The official cut off time is 46 hours and 30 minutes.

"My legs were aching and my toes all felt like mush but I was determined to make it in time. As you come into the main square you can hear the cheering and screaming and as I rounded the corner to the finishing gantry, I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath and sprinted the final meters to the finish in 39 hours 49 minutes and 46 seconds."

Kelly added: "This was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done but to finish was worth every ache, every doubt, any tears and any pain."

Now Kelly is on a mission to reach her £1,000 target for Julia's House. To support her, please visit justgiving.com/hungryrunner.