FOR most people running 26.2 miles  - a full marathon -  is far enough; but four members of Widnes Wasps Ladies Running Club are preparing to push themselves even further.

First off, this Saturday (June 17) Lynsay Adair and Joanne Moyers will be tackling ‘The Wall’ a 69 mile run from Carlisle Castle to the HMS Calliope in Newcastle/Gateshead.

Starting at 7am they expect it to take anywhere between 20 and 22 hours.

Joanne, 45, from Burtonwood, says: “We were supposed to run it last year but deferred our places after I got injured.

"Training has been going well this year with the Chester Ultra being our furthest run at over 50 miles.

"But we have also walked the Yorkshire 3 Peaks and done a 20 mile night run which finished at 1am on a Saturday morning in Frodsham town centre; I think we may have surprised a few of the pub goers as we finished!”

After completing several road marathons, Joanne and Lynsay took up trail and ultra running about two years ago – and there’s been no stopping them since.

Joanne is hoping to complete a 100 mile race after this and Lynsay, 35, has even bigger and bolder ambitions.

Lynsay, who lives in Widnes, explains: “We’ve done a few marathons/ultra-marathons as training runs and mixed our long runs with trail runs and road.

"But all of the above is merely preparation for my biggest race to date, the Ultra Great Britain 2017 in August; 200 miles following the Trans-Pennine Trail from Southport to Hornsea. I volunteered at the event last year and came away wanting to do it.

“I think I’m addicted to wanting to do longer distances and the thrill of the challenge, although I hope this ends at 200 miles!

"Joining the Widnes Wasps really opened my eyes to the running community where you hear about all these crazy events.”

Among Lynsay’s feats to date has been completing two back-to-back trail marathons on consecutive days in the West Pennine Moors Double Marathon challenge in March, where she was the first woman home on both days.

Newer to ultra running are Wasps Paula Day and Carolyn Rigby, who are both taking part in the 55km Ultimate Trails Challenge (circa 34 miles) on July 1, which will start in Ambleside and take them through some of the Lake District’s most dramatic mountain scenery.

Both have run marathons before but this will be their first ultra race.

Paula, 47, from Prescot, said: “I’ll be running/walking for Radio City’s Cash for Kids as part of their 1000 faces campaign.

"The furthest I have run in training is 28 miles. I’m looking forward to it, I know it is going to be difficult at times but the scenery and knowing that I’m raising money for disadvantaged children will keep me going.”

Mum of three, Carolyn, 50, from Widnes completed the Coniston Marathon on June 4 as part of her training, which included a full circuit of Coniston Water along footpaths and bridleways.

“I have run the Lakeland trails a few times but never this far, the scenery is amazing. The Lakeland 55 will be a challenge but I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.

Widnes Wasps Ladies Running Club, to which all four belong, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year having been established in 1987.

New members are always welcome and the less energetic can take comfort in the fact that running long distances isn’t compulsory!

Members regularly take part in events from 5k upwards and many just run socially. Further information: www.widneswasps.co.uk.

Anyone who wants to can sponsor Paula Day for her Lakeland 55 challenge here: https://www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/campaign/1000-faces-city/fundraisers/maple-health-group-ltd/