60 Mile Challenge For Cancer

28 July 2011, 09:16

Family and friends of a former Reading student, who died after battling ovarian cancer for almost a decade, are trying to raise £30 000 pounds in her honour.

That's on top of the £140 000 already raised since 34-year-old Sophie Drury passed away in 2008.

Nine teams of five will aim to complete 60 miles of running and cycling along the historic Ridgeway stretching from Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire to Wroughton in Wiltshire on July 28th and 29th, 2011.

Although Sophie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was 26, she continued to do the things she loved - including sport, partying, shopping and fashion - until the very end.

Sophie's Legacy was founded by her husband Rob, who lives in Oxfordshire. Previous challenges include the Rome Marathon and the gruelling Mountain Triathlon in the Lake District.

Rob said:

"Before Sophie died she named two charities she wanted to continue to benefit from fundraising after her death - MacMillan and Prospect Hospice in Swindon where Sophie spent her final days - and I am thrilled that so many good friends and family have helped me to make this possible in the last three years."

Day 1 of the challenge will see competitors run 12km, cycle two legs of 20km each and a final run of 5km; day 2 will be a run of 8km, a cycle of 38km and a final 6km run to the finishing line.

Only three members of the five strong teams need to be active at any one time except for the final 6km which everyone has to complete.

To donate go to www.sophieslegacy.org