Oswestry crowds show support for marathon girl Amy

The runner has now completed the small matter of covering 1,310 miles.

But home never seemed sweeter as she arrived in Oswestry.

Amy, 26, was surrounded by friends, family and colleagues as she jogged out of the town's Festival Square yesterday at the start of the 26.2mile route around her home town.

With a world record in her sights, she was buoyed by the support – and the thought that by the end of the week she could have broken the record for running the most consecutive marathons.

"The support is fantastic. I can't believe it's time for Oswestry. I thought this day would never come," she said.

• To sponsor Amy visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/53marathons, like her Facebook site 53.53marathons, follow her on Twitter at @53marathons or email Amy at 53.53marathons@gmail.com

"It's been great to get back to Shropshire with Oswestry today and Shrewsbury on Monday. It's been nice to sleep in my own bed and see my family."

Many of the supporters turned up with bags of Amy's favourite sweets to keep her going – essential as she is burning between 2,500 and 3,000 calories a day.

But the endless miles have been worth it as she has raised more than £18,000 for the Isabelle Lottie Foundation, a charity set up by a friend after their daughter developed a brain tumour.

Amy said of the challenge: "It's not so bad really. You get used to it. In school I hated running, then it just became something I did and I began training myself for marathons and events at 18 and 19. It's about finding something you enjoy.

"On number 35 in Plymouth – I crawled and cried round it but finished on a high. I feel like I'm achieving what I set out to do, raising money for an amazing cause and inspiring people to get up and be active."

Each marathon takes about five to six hours to complete, depending on the weather, the course and how she is feeling.

"It's not always easy – it comes in waves," she said. "Last week I did my quickest time, but the hardest parts were probably the days I've been ill."

The 26-year-old started running on August 6. Among the runners joining her along the way was Graham Hinton, who ran with her for a week earlier in her challenge, and Mandy Tomkins, who was joining her for the first time.

Mandy, 24, of Gobowen, said: "I'm a bit scared but I'm hoping to run a half marathon. Amy's absolutely brilliant.

She's encourages people to get out and do exercise."

Graham, 32, of Oswestry, said: "We know Amy, and the charity's fantastic. It raises awareness and supports families." Along the route Amy passed Bellan House and Meadows Primary School in Oswestry, Whittington Primary School and her old primary school in West Felton. She also stopped to run laps with pupils from Oswestry School, Oswestry Catholic School and Marches School.

Today Amy is just over the border in Llangollen, but will be heading back into Shropshire for lunch at the Lion Quays. Staff will serve up a buffet lunch for Amy and her supporters at the halfway point.