A RYEDALE woman has become the youngest female to run the length of Britain.

Imogen Boddy, who is just 22, ran 60km (40 miles) a day for 22 days from John o’Groats to Land’s End.

The personal trainer completed the 1,340km challenge on Sunday.

Imogen, who lives at Whitwell-on-the-Hill has also raised almost £26,000 so far for the mental health charity, Young Minds.

She said: “It feels amazing to have finished. Surreal. I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I’ve never done anything so hard in my life and sometimes it felt very overwhelming but I never doubted I would complete it. I couldn’t have done it with the support of my family and friends.”

In 2018, the previous record holder Megan Al-Ghailani completed a run from John o’Groats to Lands End in 40 days and turned 23 during the challenge.

The youngest known male is Tom Hunt, who took 30 days in 2016, aged 18.

Imogen said her run could be an unofficial world record.

She said: “It won’t be an official record because Guinness World Records stated they are not keen to encourage running records for young people.”

She said an important part of her latest challenge was raising funds for the mental health charity, Young Minds: “I have spent a lot of time during the run reflecting on how important exercise is for mental health.

“Exercise helps to keeps us balanced mentally. I also hope I have shown that we are capable of so much more than we think we are.”

Starting at John o’Groats on June 19, Imogen followed the most direct route south, mainly sticking to roads and she was supported for the full challenge by her parents Laura and Julian in a motorhome.

Friends and family members have joined her for sections of the run.

Logistics and cycling safety support was provided by accomplished ultra runner Chris Taylor.

Imogen said there had been many ups and downs during the challenge.

She said: “The first part of every day was so hard mentally. The first 10 days or so were also very tough physically.

“I had sore blisters on my feet and then a sore tendon in my right foot and also a sore left knee, probably because I was compensating for the sore foot. At times I couldn’t see the light ahead.

“But then my body seemed adapt a bit. Chris said this would happen but early on I couldn’t believe it would. After that it has just been coping with the long days and getting through the 60km. There have been some very hots days, too.”

She added: “It has felt like I’ve been a bubble of running. Everything else has been done for me and I have just needed to run and walk the distance and others have organised my food, recovery treatments and sleep.

“The support from everyone has been incredible.”

Imogen, who is no stranger of sport challenges, was sponsored on the challenge by London-based investment company Frostrow Capital.

Last year, she completed seven marathons in seven days to raise funds for the charity, MIND.

While attending Sedbergh School in Cumbria, she also created The Boddy Challenge. The endurance event consists of a 10km swim in Lake Windermere, running a marathon around Lake Windermere and then cycling 40km back to Sedbergh from Windermere.

She said: “I’ve always loved setting myself meaty mental and physical challenges. Testing your limits and seeing how much you can achieve is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.

“This has been a life-changing event, and one that has challenged me both mentally and physically more than I ever thought possible.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Imogen can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/imoboddyfitness