Laura Hurcombe and Kirsty Jones are quite new to running, but one day while they were jogging together they decided to take on an epic challenge. They set themselves the target to compete in an Ultra Marathon before they got too old.

Serious training began and, during 2016, they took part in five half marathons, one long run, a few 10k races and some cross country bits thrown in.

Their aim is to run 100k, approximately 64 miles, in July at the Race to the Stones. This event is a journey from the Chilterns to the mystical North Wessex Downs, past mighty Iron Age forts, ancient monuments and through some of Britain’s most stunning landscapes and finishes at the towering stones of Avebury.

Kirsty and Laura are running this event to raise funds for Whitchurch CE (VA) Primary School to develop a Multi Terrain Outdoor Play Area for the pupils. A Sponsorship Page will allow donations online. They are aiming to raise £100 a mile.

On March 5th Kirsty and Laura will be completing their first Ultra Marathon – the Millennium Way from Newport, on the Shropshire border, to Burton on Trent, on the Derbyshire border. This is 41 miles long and will be a true test of their planning and training so far.

Laura and Kirsty are ordinary mums and say that they are unlikely runners, both work full time and love a glass of wine or a G&T and chips after a long run.

Follow Whitchurch Mums on social media, where you can read about the highs, blisters, chaffing, loss of toe nails, tears and tantrums. Visit www.facebook.com/whitchurchmums or @whitchurchmums on Twitter.