Mortimer record holder's Olympic joy

Guinness World Record holder nominated to become an Olympic torch-bearer

IF you want to be a record breaker... a giant dog costume is what you need.

Wendy Shaw, Mortimer resident, mother of two, and distance runner supreme now officially holds the Guinness World Record for Fastest London Marathon as a Mascot (Female) for her four hours and 44 minutes run dressed as her alter ego “Alfie”, the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association pooch.

The 34-year-old has also been nominated by Lloyds TSB to be a torchbearer for the Olympic Flame when it passes through Reading next year.

The world record caps a remarkable year for Miss Shaw, who began her feats of endurance in February with the 50-mile Thames Trot from Oxford to Henley along the Tow Path, double her previous longest distance.

It was a run to raise money for her high school friend's daughter, a girl named Ellie Prince, who passed away just a few weeks later aged six months.

In April she ran the Brighton and London Marathons as “Alfie” for Guide Dogs, and in May she ran the Forces March, raising money for the Veterans Charity; this was a colossal five marathons in five days in which she finished as the first overall lady.

But that wasn't enough for Miss Shaw.

“I think my toughest challenge to date was in August when I ran 105 miles in under 24 hours around Grimsthorpe Castle, near Peterborough. I was one of only four finishers and again more money was raised for both Veterans Charity and the Guide Dogs,” she said.

“I have never considered giving up; there are times when it's tough going but for every reason you can think of to quit there are so many more reasons as to why you need to finish. I have made commitment to the charities I run for that I will do a good job, I have made commitments to myself that I will try my hardest, and it is always nice to be greeted at the end by my very proud children who usually run off with my medal.”

Mikaela, aged seven, and Dylan, aged three, are always at the finish line to see their mother cross the tape.

She said becoming an Olympic torchbearer would be “a dream come true”, and now has her sights set on becoming a long distance Commonwealth runner and putting on the coveted GB vest.

She thanked Budgens of Mortimer; The Feedstation, Tadley; The Victoria Arms, Mortimer; The Red Lion, Mortimer; The Horse and Groom, Mortimer; Willink Leisure Centre, Burghfield; NISA, Burghfield; and her support crew at the Reading Joggers and Reading Parkrun for all their help in the last year.