Friday 14 August 2020

A Pembrokeshire woman is aiming to set a new record by running the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in the fastest time next week.

Sanna Duthie, 32, from Milford Haven, aims to become only the second person to run the whole of the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path. She hopes to complete her run in under 64 hours and 32 minutes and is using the opportunity to raise money for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity. 

The current record is held by Haverfordwest’s Richard Simpson, who completed the challenge in 2018. 

As an ultra-runner, she has previously completed a 100-mile run in under 28 hours, but she is now hoping to exceed that and raise money for a charity close to her heart at the same time.  

Sanna, who likes to run ‘silly races’, has been waiting for Wales’ lockdown restrictions to be lifted to take on the huge challenge. 

She has set the date for the challenge for Wednesday, August 19. Speaking about how she has been preparing for the challenge, she said: “Training has gone well. I have run over 300 miles a month for the last five months so I hope that will have conditioned my body well for the challenge.  I have also been able to have sports massages again so that has been helpful with my recovery.

“I love the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. I have run every section but not all in one go. I aim to do it in under 60 hours and I want to raise funds for this great charity that serves our county.

“I'm really eager to get started now. I've got boxes ready with kit and food in. I've loved being on the coast path the past few weekends, so I'm excited to spend two whole days on it doing what I love for a great cause.” 

Sanna said she is already training for ultras but acknowledges that it ‘isn’t going to be an easy task’ to run the 186 miles. She added that a lot of people say she’s ‘crazy but admire’ her ‘stubbornness’.

She will have the support of friends and family on the day, which will start in Newport and finish in Amroth. 

Speaking of the support she has received, Sanna added: “My work has been supportive and donated, and has allowed me to have the time off.  My dad and my partner have been the biggest support.  Helping me so I can get my long runs in and driving me to and from my long runs. 

“A lot of people are going to come and see me during the challenge which will keep me motivated and determined to do it.”

Mark Stevens, Wales Air Ambulance South Wales Fundraising Manager, said: “We’re so grateful to Sanna. On its own, it is a significant personal challenge and we will be supporting her all the way to the finish line – and hopefully to a new record. For Sanna to choose to raise money for our lifesaving service at the same time is incredible. We are so grateful for her support and we’d like to wish her all the best."  

To track Sanna's run visit http://live.opentracking.co.uk/pcp2020/ 

Sanna has currently raised £990 of her £2,000 target. You can show your support by visiting her Just Giving page and donating https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sanna-duthie2.  

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise – like Sanna. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com. 

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.