RUNNING a marathon is a tough enough challenge for anyone, but cancer survivor Viv Pow has worked harder than most to get back to the track.

Mrs Pow, who turns 51 on Tuesday, is gearing up for her eighth marathon this weekend and says her diagnosis and subsequent recovery from bowel cancer made her more determined than ever to continue her passion for running.

The former policewoman, who worked for Durham Constabulary for 30 years, was first diagnosed with cancer in October 2012 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy.

She went on to run the Yorkshire Marathon a year later, but received another blow when a scan revealed the cancer had returned.

Mrs Pow had her whole colon removed last May, meaning she now needs an ileostomy bag, but within three months of the operation she tackled the Darlington 10k and hit a personal best time – beating a nurse who had cared for her during her recovery.

She now has her sights set on the Rome Marathon on Sunday (March 22) and is looking forward to the challenge.

She said: “When people talk about how difficult marathons are, I say it is 99 per mental; you have to want to do it, the positive mental attitude is a big, big thing.

“Running is what I do, it is a bug and a buzz, and that is why I will carry on until it is physically impossible.

“I want to show that cancer doesn’t have to mean the end of the life you’ve had.”

Mrs Pow has run for an assortment of charities in the past, but the Rome Marathon is to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK which seeks to educate people about the disease – something Mrs Pow says is vitally important.

“Mine was diagnosed early, so I am really fortunate.” she said. “If you don’t catch it early it can spread into your lungs, liver or bones and then it becomes much more difficult to control.

“People often don’t want to talk about things to do with going to the toilet, it is perhaps embarrassing for people, but if there is anything different; blood or weight loss or any other signs, they should go straight away to get it checked out.

“It could be the choice between life and death, so it is a no brainer really.”

Mrs Pow, who lives in Hurworth near Darlington, has set up a sponsor page for her Marathon challenge and anyone who would like to donate can visit at justgiving.com and search for Vivianne Pow.