Anne-Marie reaches renowned north Welsh landmark as part of her epic running challenge around Wales

The athlete who has set her sights on becoming the first person to officially run the entire length of the Wales Coast Path in aid of charity is due to arrive at the Menai Suspension Bridge in the next few days.

Anne-Marie ‘Arry’ Beresford Webb, photo ©CCW

She will cross the bridge on Wednesday 18th April and Monday 23rd April, as she runs the Anglesey coast stretch of her mammoth challenge.

The Wales Coast Path will run from the Welsh border, in the North, to Chepstow, in the South. Once opened, it will become the World’s first continuous coastal path around a country.

Anne-Marie ‘Arry’ Beresford Webb is undertaking a 1027-mile challenge around the perimeter of Wales, which will take her along the entire 870-mile Wales Coast Path as well as the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail to return to her starting point of Cardiff Bay in time for the official launch of the Wales Coast Path on May 5th.

Since setting out from Cardiff Bay on Saturday 24th March, Arry has so far run nearly 600 miles – the equivalent of nearly 23 marathons. She has been joined on her run by many friends and supporters, taking in some of Wales’ most breathtaking scenery along the way.

She will be running across the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge between 11.00am and 3.00pm on 18th April and again on 23rd April. Local residents and passers-by are being asked to join in with Arry’s colleagues from the Countryside Council for Wales to support her on both days.

After completing her circuit of Anglesey, Arry will follow the North Wales coast to the border near Chester, before turning inland on her journey back south via the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail. She will link back up with the Wales Cost Path at Chepstow, completing her feat by running across the South East coastline.

When she returns to her starting point 42 days later, Arry will have completed the equivalent of 39 marathons in aid of the Velindre Cancer Centre Stepping Stones Appeal and the Gozo CCU Foundation. For more details visit www.dragonrun1027.co.uk or follow her on Twitter @dragonrun1027.

Arry is under no illusions of the size of the task she is undertaking, but she is looking forward to continuing her exploration of the Welsh coast:

“This challenge is giving me an opportunity that not many will get in a lifetime, and that is to see the whole of the beautiful coastline of my home country,” she said.

“The Wales Coast Path will put Wales firmly on the international map and will hopefully encourage people to get outdoors and experience the beauty of Wales on the World’s first national coast path.

“Completing this task on May 5th will be a test of extreme physical and mental endurance and at the end of the day it's going to be sheer grit and determination that will get me to the finish!”

“Both charities are very close to my heart and I'm determined to raise £25,000 for them and raise the awareness of the incredible work that they do.”

Her return, timed for the launch, will also see her hand over a symbolic baton to Dave Quarrell who will set out on his own charity adventure on the same day.

Dave will be walking the Wales Coast Path as part of his efforts to circumnavigate Wales on foot in memory of his late father who was involved in delivering the Wales Coast Path concept in its early days. Dave will be raising money for Cancer Research Wales - http://www.walkwales1027.com.

Ends.

Am fwy o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â Rhiannon Jenkins Quadrant rhiannon.jenkins@quadrant.co 02920 694888

NOTES TO EDITORS

The 870 mile (1400km) Wales Coast Path, opening on 5 May 2012, will run from the outskirts of Chester in the north to Chepstow in the south.
Creation of the Path is a key Welsh Government commitment - which aims to bring economic benefit to coastal areas and encourage active lifestyles. The Path has something to offer everyone - from those looking for a short stroll to those undertaking the whole route in one trip, and it provides access to numerous leisure activities.
The route will be subject to further improvements, in terms of alignment, infrastructure and information, beyond the opening date.
Delivery of the project is co-ordinated by the Countryside Council for Wales and delivered on the ground by the local authorities through which it passes. Funding is coming from the European Union (approx £4 million in total), Welsh Government (approx £2 million per year) and the local authorities.