A YORK woman is taking on the remarkable challenge of running seven marathons around the world in seven days.

Georgie Acons is running for the The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of her school friend Hannah Smith, who died in 2003 aged 18, and a family friend who also passed away as a result of a brain tumour.

She has raised over £12,000 in her incredible effort, which has so far seen her running marathons in Antarctica and Chile. She was yesterday preparing to run in Miami, before heading on to Madrid in Spain, Marrakesh in Morocco, Dubai and finishing the week in Sydney, Australia.

Georgie, 32, who grew up in Crayke and went to St Peter’s School, said: “Antarctica is just incredible, like nothing I have seen before but the weather turned on us for marathon day and it was quite simply brutal to run in.

“Apparently with wind chill, it was around -30C which I think is a slight exaggeration as I felt cold but not that bad.

“The winds however were at about 40mph, the sort of weather where if someone is standing right next to you and screaming in your face you wouldn’t be able to hear them.”

Georgie, who now lives in London, said about the Punta Arenas marathon in Chile: “The Punta race was great. I think mainly because I’m comparing it to Antarctica but there was some local support and we had a police escort for the first few loops which was fun. I’m feeling ok although I’m incredibly sore and my foot is really bothering me…but I have the names of the people I’m running for attached to my vest so if I need any inspiration I just have to look down.”

Following this huge challenge she is also running the Virgin Money London Marathon for the charity in April.

Geraldine Pipping, The Brain Tumour Charity’s director of fundraising, said: “We receive no government funding and rely 100 per cent on voluntary donations and gifts in wills.

“Georgie is taking on an incredible challenge. It’s simply breathtaking when you consider the effort, hardship and dedication to train and then compete under these supremely tough conditions.

“It’s only through the efforts of people such as Georgie and all her family and all those who support her, that we can work towards our twin goals of doubling survival and halving the harm caused by brain tumours.

“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40 in the UK and survival rates have not improved significantly over the last 40 years. This must change.”

Follow Georgie’s progress and to donate to her fundraising bid: https://who-runs-the-world.com/