A FORMER Tavistock resident enjoyed the experience of a lifetime when she joined 39,000 runners competing in the famous New York Marathon earlier this month.
Zoe Jackson, 26, has been in training since the summer for her gruelling running challenge and recently completed a half-marathon in two hours, ten minutes. She managed to complete the New York race in four hours, 22 minutes, despite a knee injury incurred during the third mile.
Zoe ran the marathon to raise money for the Alice Rose Trust, which supports Bristol Hospital for Children and sick children and their families.
Zoe heard of the trust through her mother?s neighbours, John and Wendy Hanwell. Alice Rose was John?s first grand-daughter, who sadly died from a rare metabolic disorder just a month after her birth.
She said the marathon was an ?immense experience? which she would never forget.
?The crowd were fantastic and New York was just amazing,? she said. ?I think I have raised over £500 ? to those who have sponsored me, thank you so much.?
Zoe lives and works in Bath but wanted to support a charity which linked Tavistock with the area where she now lives.
Wendy Hanwell said the money raised by Zoe for the trust was a ?smashing? boost.
?It was really a terrific effort,? she said.