From a school girl running the streets of London to a world record-breaking athlete racing on mountains and toughest races, long-distance runner Lizzy Hawker is an inspiration to anyone who would like to see how far they can go, running or not. This is the complete story of Lizzy’s journey, uncovering the physical, mental and emotional challenges that runners go through at the edge of human endurance.
Scared witless and surrounded by a sea of people, Lizzy Hawker stands in the church square at the centre of Chamonix on a late August evening, waiting for the start of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. The mountains towering over the pack of runners promise a grueling 8, 600 metres of ascent and descent over 158 kilometres of challenging terrain that will test the feet, legs, heart and mind. These nervous moments before the race signal not just the beginning of nearly twenty-seven hours of effort that saw Lizzy finish as first woman, but the start of the career of one of Britain’s most successful endurance athletes.
She went on to become the 100km Women’s World Champion, win the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc an unprecedented five times, hold the world record for 24 hours road running and become the first woman to stand on the overall winners’ podium at Spartathlon. Lizzy’s remarkable spirit was recognised in 2013 when she was a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.
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Inspired by mountains and wilderness, Lizzy Hawker ‘fell’ into the world of ultra-distance and endurance running more by chance than by design. Endurance has always been a way of life for Lizzy, rather than a sport. But having the courage to take some unexpected opportunities opened doors, and her achievements snowballed both on the road and the trail. She is the world record holder for 24hrs and was the 2006 world champion in 100km on the road. She is also 4-time winner of The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, and in 2011 set a new record running from Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu.