Harborough fundraiser ran at least a mile every day in 2019 - but there was an emotional surprise waiting for her at her last mile

Catherine Searcy, 36, waved goodbye to 2019 by running a mile – as she has done EVERY day of the year.

The turbo-charged Market Harborough mum chalked up 781 miles for the last 12 months after capping her lung-busting challenge on New Year’s Eve.

And Catherine was stunned to be joined by up to 100 loved ones, friends and fellow runners as she completed her astonishing marathon effort.

Asked how she felt at the finish in packed Welland Park on a brisk, cloudy Tuesday morning, Catherine told the Harborough Mail: “I’m just dumbstruck!

“It’s hard to believe I’ve done it.

“And I can’t believe how many people have turned out to run with me on my last mile.

“It was a total surprise but so great to have all these wonderful people finish this with me.”

Supported by proud husband Andy, the mother-of-four has raised over £4000 for the Brain Tumour Charity.

Catherine, of Welland Park Road, Harborough, was inspired to set herself a monumental target after her brother-in-law Steve Haynes died of a brain tumour in December 2018.

“Steve was a fantastic guy – he was an electrician at Jeacock’s in town and very well known.

“He was only 44, he had two young boys and he was a Harborough lad born and bred,” she said.

“I decided to do something big to help raise awareness of the symptoms of brain tumours.

“Look out for constant bad headaches, deteriorating balance and vision problems.

“We also obviously want to urgently find a cure for this terrible killer illness.

“It was devastating when Steve died – he was so young.

“I’d like to think he’s looking down now and having a right old chuckle that I’ve got off my bum and ran at least a mile every day of 2019!

“I was a complete novice – I didn’t run at all.

“But now I’ve done a lot of Park Runs here in Welland Park, I’ve ran 10Ks and even finished a half-marathon at Rutland.

“I’ve also joined Harborough Athletics Club and made so many new friends.

“We’ve got one-year-old twin girls and two older boys so I’ve got to thank my husband Andy as well.

“He’s done a lot of babysitting and childminding over the last year, he’s been incredible!

“I’m not done yet either.

“I’ll be running in the London Landmarks half-marathon in March to raise even more money for our brilliant cause.”

One of Catherine’s best friends, Catherine Poynton, 43, of Clipston, said: “We’re all so proud of her.

“She’s come so far and done so brilliantly because she was a couch potato.”

Wiping away tears, the choked-up mum-of-two added: “It’s been very emotional.

“Catherine has shown such willpower and sheer guts to go out and run on horrible wet, cold winter days.

“She really is an inspiration to us all.

“I’m so pleased so many people have come along here today to finish this amazing journey with her.”

If you would like to support inspiring Catherine you can visit her justgiving website by clicking here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RUNaMILE365And you can find out more about the Brain Tumour Charity here: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/