Determined Judy overcomes illness to complete town half marathon
MHLC-02-09-12 Kenilworth Half Sep3 Kenilworth Half Marathon Started and finishes at Castle Farm Sports Centre. Pictured, Friends Steve Atherton,Steve Mason and Allan Roberts pushing Judy Woolfden on the Run
AN inspirational woman who defied doctors by batting a rare blood disease has added another notch to her amazing achievements after completing the town half marathon for the third time -and she is already looking forward to her next epic challenge.
Judy Woolfenden, who also suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, was told by doctors that she would not live to her 40th birthday. But the 63-year-old inspiration has always lived life to the fullest and pushes herself to her limits to raise money and awareness of her conditions.
In the latest of a string of achievements, Judy completed the race on Saturday in just under two and a half hours with the help of a team of volunteers who pushed her round in a new lightweight chair.
“It was really, great fun. I love doing marathons and I am really pleased with the time,” she said.
Judy assured that although donations have not yet been counted, all money raised from the feat will be split between 10 charities including volunteer and young carers groups, war veterans and the RAF and mountain rescue teams.
And she is already in training to compete in the gruelling Relentless endurance next autumn, an athletic event covering 1,600 miles over 30 days.
The determined competitor said: “I’m already training and I am going to get a world record by being the first wheelchair pushed person round the course.
“I don’t like being bored or being told I’m too ill, I’m a winner and I love competing and winning, that’s just the way I am.”
Earlier this year Judy broke two world records for being the first person with a disability and MDS to tackle a 250 kilometre endurance dog sled through Swedish Lapland over eight days. In 2007 she received the MBE from the Queen and since being diagnosed with her condition has taken part in a number of marathons.
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Weather for Kenilworth
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
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Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
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