Is she barking mad?

Wendy Shaw is to run the Brighton Marathon and the London Marathon dressed up as a dog

RESIDENTS spotting a five foot canine jogging around parks across West Berkshire are asked to refrain from calling the dog warden in that instance, as a Mortimer runner is testing out her the costume in which she is to run two marathons in one week.

Wendy Shaw, a 33-year-old mother-of-two, is to run the Brighton Marathon on April 10, and the London Marathon on April 17 in the furry get-up in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

“I have always wanted to put my running to a good use and try to raise money for a good cause whenever I can, however, after running a few marathons you have to set bigger challenges in order to raise any amount of money,” she said.

“When the Guide Dogs for the Blind gave me the opportunity to run both the Brighton and London marathons for them I jumped at the chance, and to run as Alfie makes that challenge much tougher for me and much more visual for the charity in order to help raise the money and awareness they need.”

“I need to spend as much time as I can training in the suit so that I am well adjusted to the extra weight and heat factor, I will not run my fastest marathon but I don't want Alfie to end up walking either."

She caught the marathon bug upon her return to the UK from Australia in May 2010 when she ran the Forces March that consisted of five marathons in five days, 131 miles in total, from Ilfracombe to Bulford.

Now an accomplished distance runner, this year Miss Shaw has already completed the lung-busting 50-mile Thames Trot in February, the Steyning Stinger Marathon in March, and the Reading Half Marathon.

She also travelled to Leeds in atrocious conditions in December to run in a 100-miles-in-24-hours event for Veterans Charity Project 65.

She said her two children, Mikaela, aged six, and Dylan, aged three, are proud of having such an active mother, and often take her medals into their schools.

“Mikaela has been very involved in all the events I do, she understands that I am trying to raise money and she likes to help where she can,” she said.

Miss Shaw now wants the local community to get behind the charity and her challenge.

To sponsor her, click on the link to her Just Giving page below, or email her on Alfie.GDBA@gmail.com.

If you are running the London Marathon, let us know by contacting newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk or calling 01635 564539.