A FIFE runner completed her own version of the London marathon after completing two laps around Loch Leven for charity.

Karen Hunter set her sights on the London Marathon after doing a number of half-marathons and one full one, but after the event was cancelled due to the pandemic, she decided she would do it virtually.

Karen said: “I joined Meedies Running Club and done a few half marathons then thought I would try the London Marathon and got a place through the charity route.

“I chose to run for Phab Kids charity and it [the marathon] was supposed to take place this year but obviously got moved and then because of lockdown I couldn’t fundraise either, but thankfully I got a virtual place.

“I did the virtual marathon and have 90 per cent of my target and will be doing a Halloween run to try and raise the rest.”

Despite missing out on an amazing experience in London, Karen, who has done various fundraising over the years, said it’s the charities she feels for the most, having lost out on so much vital funding from the event.

She said: “The charities have really suffered so I am trying to think of different ways I can fundraise rather than always going to the same people or groups.”

Running in the name of Phab was also personal for Karen, whose son attended a children’s charity in the past.

She said: “My son attended a group and you can see the difference they make to people’s lives. I have seen first-hand why it is a worthwhile cause.”

On the virtual race day itself, Karen pushed herself with the help of some of her Meedies Running Club friends around Loch Leven twice, despite some of it being flooded.

“I ran Loch Leven twice and had support there,” she said. “It was a wet weekend but it turned out alright in the end.

“It was just sheer determination but also doing it for charity gives me that extra motivation to complete it. I’ve done one marathon in the past and I felt a bit better after this one than I did the one before because I had plenty of practice runs, including the Benidorm half-marathon right before lockdown.”

To donate towards Karen's cause, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karen-hunter14.