A 54-year-old woman from Surrey ran the entire London Marathon route at night, before the actual race began last weekend.

Kate Townsend, an internal communications manager from Farnham, started the challenge at midnight on Sunday [April 26], marking her 44th marathon to date.

Kate ran the entire marathon course in reverse from the finish to start line, before joining crowds to support runners of the London Marathon that morning.

She ran to fundraise for working horse and donkey charity Brooke – the charity she works for.

Kate Townsend, 54, Farnham, ran her own marathon starting at midnight, raising vital funds for working animal charity Brooke. Picture courtesy of Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys

placeholder image — Kate Townsend, 54, Farnham, ran her own marathon starting at midnight, raising vital funds for working animal charity Brooke. Picture courtesy of Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys

Kate said: “I run a trail marathon every month, so to raise money and awareness for Brooke I knew I had to do something different.

“What better than the London Marathon course in reverse, from Birdcage Walk to Blackheath.

“I started at one minute past midnight while most sensible people are asleep and finished at 5.30am while most sensible people are still asleep!

“For me, it wasn’t about records or novelty, but about pushing myself out of my comfort zone for the animals Brooke supports.

Kate ran the route in reverse before joining crowds to cheer on marathon runners later that morning - raising vital funds for working animal charity Brooke, where she works. Picture courtesy of Kate Townsend

“Every mile reflected, in a small way, the reality faced by working horses, donkeys and mules.

“Tiredness, hunger, thirst, the need to stop and rest. It was tough, strange and ever so slightly bonkers, but worth every step to help them. I am very proud to be Brooke."

Kate is an avid horse lover, having kept her own pony for years.

Five Brooke supporters also took on the London Marathon, raising more than £14,000.

This included Adam Blackmore-Heal, a photographer who just the week before completed the Windsor Ultra-Marathon, and Ben Portus, who marked his 10-year anniversary running for the charity this year.

Brooke staff in Kenya also completed their own marathon in tandem with London’s last weekend, raising vital funds for the charity.

Brooke is a global organisation dedicated to supporting the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules, and the communities who depend on them for their livelihoods.