Mental health manager set to take on gruelling marathon challenge for charity

A Wrexham based mental health manager will put her best feet forward later this month when she takes part in one of Europe’s toughest marathons.

Fleur Evans, who works as a Mental Health Clinical Network Manager with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, will join over 2,500 runners for the Brooke’s Snowdonia Marathon on October 28th.

In doing so, she’s hoping to raise vital funds for NHS charity, Awyr Las, which will be used to enhance the experience of people who come into contact with the mental health services she manages in Wrexham and Flintshire.

The challenging course begins just outside Llanberis and sees competitors climb 1,100ft to the top of Llanberis Pass before looping down through Beddgelert and Waunfawr.

Participants will also have to tackle a rapid climb of around 1,200ft at Bwlch y Groes before finishing back in Llanberis.

Despite vowing that she would “never again” run a marathon after finishing the London Marathon in agony in 2009, Fleur has been clocking up the miles in recent months as she prepares to tackle the gruelling 26 mile course.

She said: “I have followed a different training plan this time, which has been quite punishing as the theory is about building on cumulative miles and running on tired legs, and I can certainly testify that my legs are tired!

“Some weeks I have run over 45 miles which has resulted in a trip to the local “Minor Injuries Unit” and the loss of a couple of toe nails. However, I know that when I cross the finish line in Llanberis High Street, the tiredness, sore feet and lack of toe nails will be forgotten.

“I decided to raise funds for Mental Health as I would like to increase people’s awareness of the illness, and help fund equipment that encourages and enables patients to participate in a range of therapeutic activities.

“The NHS funds our core services but donations through our NHS charity Awyr Las can make a real difference in helping us fund some of the added extras which can really enhance the experience of our patients.”

You can support and sponsor Fleur via her Justgiving page.