A SPRING weekend in Paris was on the menu for a Highampton woman last week ? but instead of strolling the boulevards, Judith Anstey was pounding the streets during the city?s annual marathon.

Judith, 52, was running the race to raise money for the Winsford Trust. It?s the second year running she has completed the gruelling 26-mile distance for the charity? last year, she competed in the London Marathon.

Judith said the experience was once again, ?fantastic?.

?There was a marvellous atmosphere and to be running through Paris is pretty good ? you go through some beautiful parts, starting just by the Arc de Triomphe, going down the Champs Elysées and running by the Seine,? said Judith.

She has not had her official time back from the organisers yet, but reckons she completed the race in about four hours, 45 minutes, beating last year?s time by nearly half an hour.

Judith said having run two marathons in two major cities, it was difficult to choose her favourite.

?Everywhere is different, but I just feel so honoured to have been there. It?s so exciting when you are queuing up at the beginning and of course when you finish, you get this huge surge of emotion, it?s a huge buzz.? said Judith.

She is not sure how much she has raised for the Winsford Trust yet as the money is still coming in, but she is sure she has raised more than last year?s total of £1,017.

She said: ?People have been fantastic ? I?ve had a huge amount of support, it?s been marvellous.?

Judith only started running once she realised she had secured a coveted place in the London Marathon.

?I had always wanted to do it. Every year I just felt I wanted to be there. I?ve walked all my life, long distance walking on Dartmoor, and I decided if I don?t do it now, I never will do,? she said.

Judith now completes three mid-week runs ranging from five to nine miles, with a much longer run at the weekends.

Her next challenge will be the Ruby Run, the half marathon between Hatherleigh and Holsworthy being held for the first time this summer.

?I love it, I love being outdoors ? it brings huge benefits,? said Judith, who did not even suffer any discomfort after Sunday?s long race.

?My feet are fine ? I?ve been incredibly lucky, I?ve never even had a blister,? she said.