Former Army Officer Nears End Of Multiple Marathon Challenge

Former Army Officer Lizzie Rosewell is nearing the end of her challenge to run 360 miles of the Western Front in 15 days.

Lizzie decided to take on the challenge to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War and raise money for ABF The Soldiers' Charity. 

She will finally complete the challenge on Sunday when she finishes the London marathon.

“Part of wanting to do this challenge was really to see if I was capable of doing it and I’ve been amazed with what my body has coped with so far and how I’ve dealt with things mentally as well,” she said.

Lizzie started the challenge in Paris and made her way to Amiens before joining the Western Front.

She followed the Front through battlefields, including the Somme, and memorials at Arras and Ypres, where she read the exhortation at the Menin Gate ceremony.

From there she headed to Dunkirk to catch a ferry over to Dover and is now making her way through Kent along the North Downs Way.  

Lizzie said: “By far the biggest challenge has been with my feet - I’ve had really painful feet. I’ve had blisters and just generally very sore feet from the impact as well.

“Since getting back to the UK, I’ve got different shoes on and I’ve actually gone up a whole shoe size because my feet have swollen so much.”

The mother of two is carrying her own kit and camping most evenings as she raises money for ABF The Soldiers' Charity, a cause close to her heart.

Lizzie said she had mixed feelings about coming to the end of her challenge but was incredibly proud. She’s both excited that the end is in sight but is also aware she has two and a half marathons to go.