A Trellech doctor is going the extra mile this year to support Children's charity, Barnardo's.

Dr Rowena Christmas is not only booked in for her second London Marathon on 21st April, but will also be running in the infamous The Grizzly, in Devon this Sunday.

Not content with the difficulty of running one of the most infamous and difficult races in the world, Dr Christmas has also signed up for the gruelling Devonshire Grizzly, described as 'the toughest off-road distance challenge in the country'.

"I ran the London Marathon a couple of years ago, and people were so kind with their sponsorship, I didn't feel like I could ask them to sponsor me again just for doing the same thing again, so I decided to enter The Grizzly too".

Based around Seaton in South-East Devon, the race is made up of 20 miles of off-road terrain, taking in rivers, bogs, the sea and steep, dangerous cliff paths. Organised annually by The Axe Valley runners, the race is described by the club as "Grime and punishment. Twentyish muddy, hilly, boggy, beachy miles of the multiest-terrain running experience you will find".

Dr Christmas has chosen the children's charity Barnardo's to support after finding the organisation "exceptionally helpful" in her professional experience, and having made it through difficult personal times too.

"My husband had testicular cancer ten years ago but suffered a recurrence last year. He is well now but I am just feeling so blessed and wanted to give something back.

"Our two boys, six and eight-years-old, are so lucky, and I want to help those who aren't quite as fortunate".

Despite the Grizzly being a new experience for her, Rowena is no stranger to the London Marathon, having run it two years ago raising £5000 in the process for Winston's Wish, a child bereavement charity.

The relatively new runner took up the sport after being contacted by the charity four years after the death of her husband's sister – who was struck down with breast cancer – asking if she would run in the race for them.

"I began running some weeks after that and got the bug. I balance a full-time job and two young children so I get my trainers and head torch on and go running around the woods at about 10pm most nights. My patients often see me running around Trellech in the dark!"

Preparing by running 30- 40 miles a week for the past 12 weeks, the doctor is now resting her muscles for the last week and increasing her carbohydrate intake before the first event. But with the London Marathon only six weeks after the Grizzy, Dr Christmas will not have long to rest.

The inspirational fundraiser has so far raised around £1500.00 for Barnardo's, but to add your sponsorship, visit http://www.justgiving.com/rowena-christmas2">www.justgiving.com/rowena-christmas2 or pop into either Trellech or St Briavels surgeries.