MARY Menon, from Exford in West Somerset, won the Heineken Race to the Tower event, a 53-mile ultra marathon along the Cotswolds Way, earlier this month.

The 38-year-old completed the course in 8h 46m 52s, and was the first woman ever to win one of the Threshold Trail Series events.

The mother of two is a full-time mum to Alice, eight, and Ferdy, six, and she works part-time as a professional equine groom.

She is also kept busy by her flock of sheep and her children’s ponies.

Menon said: “I ran a lot at school, both in the school teams and representing Devon for cross country races and athletics.

“Then after I had children I began to run more regularly to lose the baby weight.

“I have always run but I didn’t compete.

"A friend who runs a lot suggested that I should enter a local 10km trail race and to my surprise I came second.

"I started to take running and racing more seriously after that.

“I just love running; it's an amazing way to get off the beaten track and see the beautiful British countryside.

"I like to run every day, mainly off-road; I am fortunate to be able to run straight out of the door and across Exmoor, peaking at up to 100 miles a week.

"This includes up to two long runs a week and hill work, and I am a member of the Ilfracombe Running Club.

“My husband likes running Ultras and convinced me that I would love to run a longer one than usual too.

"I chose the Race to the Tower because I thought the rolling Cotswold countryside would suit me, and it has a reputation of being a well organised race.

“It was really good fun and tough at times.

"I had planned my race to some extent, I have some good friends in the running club who are experienced and successful ultra runners, and I quizzed them and my husband endlessly on tactics before the race.

“I did expect to do fairly well in the race; I thrive on running tough courses and knew the terrain would suit me, as my training is predominantly on the hills of Exmoor which are challenging to run as well.

"I’m now looking forward to a couple of local trail marathons in Cornwall.”

Some 1,200 people walked, jogged or ran the spectacular 53-mile Race to the Tower route this year.

Next year, the event takes place on June 8-9, 2019.

Entries open on September 5, but participants can register interest before then, through the website.