A Preston woman has completed a running challenge in memory of Ben Ashworth, raising money and awareness for three charities close to his and his wife Louise’s heart.

Pita Nadine, who ran with Ben many times, decided to run a mile every day for a year in 2017, in tribute to him and to raise awareness of bowel cancer, that Ben sadly passed away from last year.

Pita started the challenge, taking on the baton from friends Karl Hodgson and Steven Willetts, who completed it the previous year.

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Running a mile every day for a year, Pita also set herself ten other challenges with a twist that would help tick off a mile a day.

Pita completed two half marathons, two full marathons, two ultra-marathons, 100 parkruns, running 1500 miles, climbing 150,000ft and running every day for a year.

This included the Montane Lakeland 50, Montane Howgills marathon, Calderdale Way Ultra-marathon, Delamere half marathon, Conwy half marathon and Hell of a Hill marathon.

Pita Nadine, Captain of Red Rose Road Runners and Founder and Event Director of Cuerden Valley Parkrun, said:

“Why? To raise awareness and funds for an angel on earth Ben Ashworth.

“The #365 challenge means you must remember to do it every day – a great starting point.

“So when you’ve been at work all day, got home, made tea, walked the dogs, and all other domestic duties, then remembering you’ve not done your mile – whoopsie; out through the door you go!”

Pita raised over £1000 for charity Mummy’s Star, and raised awareness for Beating Bowel Cancer and Rosemere.

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Pita continued: “Ben was an inspiration, a legend, an angel in his lifetime.

“Thank you to all who have donated to my Virgin Money site, you raised over £1,000 for Mummy’s Star.

“Your support and messages of encouragement have helped me through each day.

“Keep on running and always be the best you can be.”

You can read Pita’s blog of her 2017 running challenge here, and donate to her fundraising page here.

Have you completed any running challenges? Do you have any running events planned in 2018? Let us know in the comments below