A Cumbrian woman is getting ready to run over 1000 miles across the country, as part of her 60th birthday celebrations.

Annie Rawlinson from Levens, near Kendal, is preparing to take on the Run Britannia Rat Race, which will start at Lands’ End and finish at John O’Groats.

Annie originally planned to travel to Lands End via public transport, hopping on three trains to reach the start line, but two of her journeys were cancelled.

To avoid getting stranded today, Annie is making the trip by car. After leaving home at 5.30am this morning, Annie and her husband, Mike have driven seven and a half hours and covered a staggering 424 miles!

She is leaving home for five weeks, setting off from one end of the country tomorrow, Saturday June 1 and arriving at the finish line on July 5.

Annie is an avid runner and has chosen to raise money for two charities close to her heart – Levens Playing Field, and Dogs Trust.

Annie said her friends at work have made two huge maps of England, each with a mini Annie mounted on Velcro to be moved as the race begins.

On Day 17 out of 35 of the Run Britannia, Annie is passing along the Canal Path in Sedgwick as she tackles the stretch from Lancaster to Kendal.

One of the maps will be in her home town while the second is going to the New Union Pub in Kendal, which Annie will pass by on Tuesday June 18.

When she arrives at Lands’ End later today, Annie will attend a briefing at 5pm and be provided with a tracker, so everyone can follow her progress each step of the way.

Tonight, Annie is staying at the Lands’ End Hostel, before she embarks in her 1030 mile cross country challenge tomorrow.

Annie said: “When I left home, I was very emotional, cried a bit! But now I’m excited! Obviously nervous- an event like this needs to be respected. It will be brutal at times and will hurt!”

Annie has set an impressive fundraising target of £10,300, which you can donate to here.