A PUB landlady from Goodworth Clatford is going on the run – three times in two weeks.

Kate Lawton, who has run The Royal Oak for the past 12 years, is lacing up her trainers to run three 26.2-mile marathons in two weeks to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK, starting in Paris on 6 April.

She is running in memory of her father-in-law, John Lawton. John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1996 at the age of 66 and died in 2005.

Kate, aged 44, said: “John was the most intelligent man I knew and it was awful seeing him living with Parkinson’s, and stuck inside this body that failed him when his mind was still so active.

“I didn’t intend to run three marathons initially.

“I applied for a ballot place in London and didn’t think I would get in. The Paris Marathon is on the weekend of my 24th wedding anniversary so I booked a place and my husband Mike will be coming along to carry my drinks and support me vocally along the way.

“When I found out that I had a place in London, I decided to make it three in a row. I have created my own ‘Clatford Marathon’, as I couldn’t find one that would fit into my threeweek schedule.

“The Clatford Marathon is not official – however, I do have the support of a few runners who will run sections of it with me, including the local doctor, Malcolm Stone, who is also my training partner.

“I love the challenge of a marathon. I am not very fast but I love the battle you have with your mind and all the different emotions that you go through from elation and determination to total frustration and pain.

“I originally applied for a London Marathon place in 2011 half-heartedly, knowing that it was unlikely that I would be accepted as there is so much demand.

“When Parkinson’s UK phoned to say they were offering me a place my heart sank and I was terrified.

I phoned Terry Anderson, a local personal trainer, and he gave me all the training and confidence I needed to complete the 26.2- mile course, and I haven’t looked back since.”

Kate will finish with her Clatford Marathon on Saturday, 19 April at 10am.

Kate has devised a route around her pub and she will be running loops – two times 4.70 miles, two times 8 miles and then half a mile up the village street and back.

l To sponsor Kate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.co m/katelawton1.