A RUNNER will tackle her fourth marathon as part of a hospice's 25th anniversary celebrations.

Sarah Beadle hopes to beat her previous time of six hours 41 minutes when she competes in next month's Swaledale Marathon.

Miss Beadle, from Darlington, is one of 25 runners who are each taking part in a marathon this year to raise money for St Teresa's Hospice to coincide with its 25th anniversary.

Her father, Roger, suffers from multiple system atrophy (MSA), a rare and incurable progressive neurological disease which affects the nerves in the brain.

He attends the hospice several times a year for respite care which gives temporary relief to his wife, Vera, who cares for him.

Miss Beadle has twice run the Edinburgh Marathon and last year ran the Swaledale Marathon.

She said: "St Teresa's Hospice is very close to me. I did my second marathon for the hospice and haven't done much since then.

"When I saw the appeal I thought it was a great idea."

Although the Swaledale event is not run over the full marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards, it is considered a marathon for the challenge because of its difficulty. The route is 23.3 miles (37.3km) long with 4,128ft (1,258 metres) of ascent.

Miss Beadle, who works at Teesdale Sports Centre, in Barnard Castle, and is a member and coach at Darlington Quakers, added: "It's very tough."

Like the other 24 runners in the challenge, she must raise at least £250. To sponsor her see justgiving.com/sarah-beadle0