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Surgeon completes 24-hour Metro running challenge

Evie LakeNorth East and Cumbria
News imageNexus Alice Townsend smiling into the camera with her arms up in the air. She is wearing a colourful cap with the brim standing up and has white hair peeking through. She is wearing a bright pink t-shirt and is holding a large cardboard medal in one of her hands which reads "Alice Townsend Metro Marathon". People are holding a white finishing line banner in front of her with the yellow Metro logo, which is a black capital M in a yellow box. The bottom of the stone Grey's Monument is behind her, as well as a large Metro sign. The stone buildings of Grainger Street are also behind her along with the glass-fronted Eldon Square. Nexus
Alice Townsend finished her Metro challenge earlier

A breast cancer surgeon has become the first woman to officially run the length of a north of England light rail network within 24 hours.

Alice Townsend, from Great Park, in Newcastle, completed the 65-mile (105km) Tyne and Wear Metro challenge at about 13:00 BST.

The 53-year-old followed both of the network's yellow and green lines, covering all 60 stations, in order to raise money for Women's Street Watch.

Speaking from the finish line at Grey's Monument in Newcastle city centre, Townsend said she was "absolutely shattered" and excited to get a bit of sleep.

Townsend set off from South Hylton at 15:00 BST on Saturday and has been accompanied on the route by supporters, friends and family - including her husband and two sons.

Joined by a big group for the final stretch, Townsend said: "I never expected to have this much support, it's incredible.

"[I'm] absolutely shattered, I'm very proud of myself."

News imageNexus A smiling Alice Townend with blonde hair is standing in front of a large Tyne and Wear Metro map giving two thumbs up. She is wearing a pink t-shirt with the slogan 'HERE FOR THE WOMEN'S RACE' in white lettering. The setting is a Metro station with Nexus Metro branding behind.Nexus
Alice Townend completed the challenge in fewer than 24 hours

The 53-year-old said she was most looking forward to getting some sleep.

She had initially planned to rest at a friend's house for a while, but got "a real buzz" when the sun started to come up.

On raising money for Women's Street Watch, Townsend told Radio Newcastle on Friday she saw the challenge as "an opportunity for me to highlight the issues women face when running".

The group was formed following the deaths of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa and volunteers patrol Newcastle city centre on Friday and Saturday nights.

Townsend said she was inspired by ultra-runner Paul McDougal, from Cramlington, who completed the Metro route earlier this year.

"He planned to do it on his own and then ended up getting support," Townsend said

"But, as a woman on my own, who is not fast, so will be running through the night, I couldn't do it on my own, it wouldn't be safe.

"So part of this is talking about the issues that women face and pulling together a big support crew."

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