MARATHON specialist Karen Holliday is planning to complete 10 races this year to raise funds for research into breast cancer.

If the mum-of-three from Headington, Oxford, is successful it will take her total of completed marathons up to 84, well on the way to her target of 100.

Mrs Holliday, who works in the finance department at Oxford University, used to run for SSNAP – Support for Sick Newborns and their Parents at the John Radcliffe Hospital – after her daughter was born prematurely but then Against Breast Cancer got in touch and she started raising funds for the Abingdon-based charity.

The 48-year-old said: "I did the Milton Keynes half-marathon recently and it was cold and wet and I thought 'why am I doing this?'

"But then I remember that I am running for people the charity supports and that spurs me on.

"I have raised about £10,000 for the charity to date – I have been one of their highest earners and I know they really appreciate what I am doing."

Mrs Holliday lives with her husband David Holliday, 52, a mechanic and their children Thomas, 17, Molly, 16, and Dylan, 13.

She added: "David is not a runner - he drinks beer and fixes cars and think I'm insane.

"I really want to reach my target of 100 marathons before my knees and hips can't take it any more."

Mrs Holliday, who has competed in the past in the Oxford Half Marathon, said marathons this year she hoped to complete included those in Brighton, London and Milton Keynes, with the 26.2-mile Brighton run taking place on Sunday, April 9.

This year she is aiming to raise between £2,000 and £3,000 for Against Breast Cancer.

Mrs Holliday, who started running marathons when she was 19, is a Cub Scout leader for the 43rd Oxford Old Marston Scout group and said she was delighted to raise funds for the charity after another Scout leader suffered breast cancer.

She added: "I love running marathons. I find it exhilarating and it's great that I can raise money at the same time for such a good cause.

"My best time is about three hours, 45 minutes."

Against Breast Cancer is a charity dedicated to funding research to improve detection, treatment and increase survival after breast cancer diagnosis.

Its Diet and Lifestyle Study involves over 3,300 women from 56 hospitals across the UK and is the largest national study of its kind.

By studying this collection of biological samples, dietary and lifestyle information, researchers are aiming to determine differences between women who develop secondary breast cancer and those who do not.

This will provide clues as to what may increase or reduce the risk of developing secondary disease and how to develop better diagnostic tests and treatments.

To make a donation visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/karenholliday1