Why it matters: Professor Valerie Gladwell's will tackle a gruelling 110-kilometre run from Carlisle to Gateshead on Saturday to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice, marking her 50th birthday with what she calls her most daunting challenge yet.
The University of Suffolk academic, who is originally from Northumberland, will complete the epic feat alongside one of her oldest friends, Julie, while carrying around 6kg of vital kit, including nutrition essentials, waterproofs, and first-aid supplies.
"This challenge definitely scares me, but it's about having fun, pushing my limits and seeing how I cope in a tough situation," she said.
The big picture: The run represents the latest challenge for the academic, whose endurance efforts have included completing three marathons and an Ironman, as well as representing Great Britain in the 2023 European Triathlon Championships in Madrid just two years after first taking up triathlons.
What drives her: The cause is particularly close to Professor Gladwell's heart due to personal experience with the hospice's services.
"The care they've given to my friends and family has been phenomenal. I'm proud to support them through both this run and my research into end-of-life care, where I collaborate with Dr Joe Sawyer, a consultant at the hospice," she said.
By the numbers: The Hadleigh-based academic leads research at the University of Suffolk's Institute of Health and Wellbeing, specialising in studies around healthy living, long-term conditions and biosciences for human health. Her work focuses on how the environment shapes physical activity, the impact of nature in improving sleep and reducing stress, and healthy ageing.
The bottom line: Professor Gladwell's 110km challenge combines her professional expertise in health and wellbeing with personal dedication to supporting end-of-life care, demonstrating how academic research can translate into real-world impact for local communities.
