A Tyneside mum is bidding to become the first woman to run the entire length of the Metro system in a single day, a test of endurance which has grown in popularity in recent years.
Alice Townend is taking on the 65-mile challenge in support of Women’s Street Watch in Newcastle, a grassroots network of volunteers who work on the city’s streets at night to keep women safe.
The run – which takes place on the weekend of 8-9 August - will see Alice cover the length of both of Metro’s Yellow and Green lines in a 24-hour period. She will track the Metro lines as closely as possible, taking in the fastest routes between all 60 stations via public roads and footpaths.
And she is not daunted at the prospect of such an extreme challenge, having previously completed two ultra-marathons and six Great North Runs.
Alice, 53, of Great Park in Newcastle, works as a consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon. She was inspired not only by her chosen cause and her own personal passion for running, but by the story of Paul McDougal from Cramlington, who successfully ran the Metro lines in just 18 hours earlier this year.
She said: “I’m really determined to complete this challenge, and I am training hard to be ready for it.
“It is a big distance to cover in a single day. I am nervous at the prospect of taking this on, but I want to show other women that big challenges are possible and that age should really be no barrier. I’m really motivated for this.
“I am running in support of Women’s Street Watch in Newcastle, which such an important community group. They do amazing work keeping women safe at night.”
Alice took up running eight years ago as a way of getting fit and has been running three to four times a week ever since.
She added: “I love running. It has helped to change my life. It is such a great way to keep fit and meet new people.
“I have previously run marathons and ultra marathons, so I’ve got a pretty good idea of what’s in store.
“I am aiming to cover the whole distance of the Metro system in 20 to 24 hours. Even if I don’t hit that target, I am determined to get to the finish no matter what. The potential challenges over this distance are fatigue, blisters, soft tissue injuries and bad weather, but I've trained hard to deal with whatever is thrown at me so I’m confident I can do it.
“I supported Paul McDougal on his Metro run last February and he really helped to inspire me. It gave me the idea that I wanted to give it a go.
“I am starting at South Hylton before running up through Sunderland and then down to South Shields.
“From there it’ll be a case of running all the way back through South Tyneside, Gateshead and Newcastle city centre, where I hope to see the Street Watch volunteers as I pass through.
“It is then on to the airport and back to South Gosforth, before the huge task of running the North Tyneside coastal loop, which will bring me back to the finish at Monument Metro station.
“I’ll have a support team assembled and also plenty of friends and family to cheer me on along the way, including my husband and my two sons.”
Metro operator Nexus wished Alice the best of luck with the challenge.
Lynne Dickinson, Station Delivery Manager, said: “Alice is taking on a massive challenge, and she will also be the first woman to run the Metro route.
“It’s a huge test of endurance, especially when attempting to run the full Metro route in just a single day. It’s has become popular with ultra-marathon runners in recent years. We wish her all the best and look forward to meeting her at the finish line.”
Women’s Street Watch started up following the deaths of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa when the issue of women's safety was thrust into the spotlight.
The volunteers ensure other women feel safe on the city's streets on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.
To follow Alice Townend’s progress and to see how you can support her visit her Instagram page: @trafficconellama