Rawdon woman to tackle Bradford Millennium Way

Hilary Wharam, a veteran of 20 marathons, including 11 London Marathons, despite only having taking up running in her 50s, is taken on the challenge to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Hilary, of Rawdon, will set off from Beckfoot Lane in Bingley at 3am on June 13 and will finish, she anticipates, about 15 hours later, at Bingley Rugby Club, Wagon Lane, having taken in much of the idyllic countryside that surrounds Bradford.

She will be accompanied by different friends on stages of the route.

She has chosen June 13 for her event because it coincides with the Bradford Millennium Way Five Stage Relay Race, organised by St Bedes AC, where teams of ten runners race in pairs round the route, starting and finishing at Bingley Rugby Club.

The Horsforth Harrier is not daunted by her solo challenge, however. In 2004 she completed 64 miles in one day doing the Leeds Country Way, which was mere preparation for the East Hull Harriers 24-hour Track Race, which saw her run 95 and a half miles in 24 hours.

“I have a bad back now and I will be running on medication,” she said. “This is probably the last year I will be able to take on such a challenge, so it is now or never.”

Prior to her retirement, Hilary worked with disabled people, advising them of services available to them.

In the course of this employment she met many MS sufferers and witnessed at first hand the devastating effects of the illness on the patients and their loved ones, which is why she has chosen to support the MS Society which offers support to patients who suffer from MS and their families and carers.

“If I can make an improvement in someone’s life by helping the MS Society, then the effort will have been worthwhile,” she said.

To sponsor Hilary visit beatms.mssociety.org.uk/net community/HilarysfullBradford MillenniumWay.

e-mail: claire.lomax@telegraphandargus.co.uk