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Treherbert RFC Physio Leanne Howells has finished her epic challenge to complete 40 endurance running events in one year – to mark her 40th birthday and raise £3,000 for charity.

Leanne Howells’ challenge, which included races ranging from 5k runs up to half marathons, is raising money for the NSPCC.

Ms Howells, who works as a careers advisor for Careers Wales, came up with the idea when she was taking part in the Gherkin Challenge – a race up the famous London building in aid of the same cause last year.

She has already completed nearly a dozen half marathons this year, including two back-to-back over the Easter weekend, as she continues to tick off her 40 races.

Leanne, from Gelli, said: “From the end of February up until the beginning of April I did a half marathon every weekend.

“I did eight in the space of a few weeks, including the Cardiff Half Marathon and Pendine Sands Half Marathon over the Easter weekend, and it’s been quite hard.”

The fundraiser also works as a fitness instructor for RCT Council , and enjoyed a personal best time in the Cardiff World Half Marathon.

“Apart from the weather, it was a great race,” she added. “The hail storms on the barrage were the worst part of it, but the support along the way was fantastic.”

The former Treorchy Comprehensive pupil had a target of raising £3,000 for the NSPCC.

Among many other races, Leanne competed in the Llanelli half marathon on April 17, the Gherkin Challenge in June and finished her charity challenge by taking on a 5k, 10k and half marathon events on consecutive days in the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend in September.

“I’ve done a couple of races in California before so I thought it would be nice to finish there,” Leanne added. 

To sponsor Leanne, visit www.justgiving.com/leanne-howells2