A mother-of-two from Farnham is preparing to take on one of the world’s toughest ultra marathon challenges to raise vital funds for spinal research.

Ngaire-Elizabeth Guzzetti, 41, will set off from John O’Groats this Friday (March 14), aiming to complete the gruelling 854-mile journey to Land’s End in just 17 days as part of the 2025 MTC JOGLE race.

The challenge will push her to her limits, requiring her to run an average of 50 miles per day—more than she has ever attempted before. Her longest previous run was 46 miles.

Each step of the way, she will be inspired by a close family member who was paralysed from the chest down in an accident 22 years ago.

Every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed after a spinal cord injury. It can happen to anyone at any time with devastating consequences – something Ngaire-Elizabeth and her family know only too well.

She said: “I’m so fortunate to have one of the most inspiring people you could ever meet in my life and when I feel it’s too tough and I can’t take another step, I just think how privileged I am to be able to use my legs and to run.”

Ngaire-Elizabeth admits she is more of a triathlete than an ultra-marathon runner, but she has been training whenever and wherever possible—including using a treadmill under her desk at work.

“A lot of the challenge of these ultra marathon events is being able to be on your feet for 12 to 15 hours at a time, so I have a treadmill under my desk at work which I get on whenever I can,” said Ngaire-Elizabeth, who works as cyber security technical consultant at CyXcel.

She acknowledges the immense challenge ahead.

“I know it’s going to be really tough. I’ve never run big distances on consecutive days before and I’m more of a shuffler than a pacy runner, so I’m really hoping I can reach the end each day within the cut-off time,” she said.

“Few female entrants have made it out of Scotland on the JOGLE, so if I can get to day six and over the border it will be a major achievement, though I will be delighted if I complete day one by the cut-off time.”

The MTC JOGLE follows a predominantly road-based route and includes over 16,000 feet of ascent, making it one of the most demanding endurance events in the world.

Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity funding medical research into treatments for paralysis, is backing Ngaire-Elizabeth’s challenge.

Chief executive Louisa McGinn praised her efforts, saying: “We are always moved and motivated by the many ways our supporters find to fundraise for us. Ngaire-Elizabeth is definitely going beyond the extra mile with this extraordinary endurance challenge and we’re incredibly grateful.

“Today, for the first time, we are in touching distance of function-restoring treatments for people paralysed after a spinal cord injury, and so every single donation brings our vision of curing paralysis a step closer.”

To support Ngaire-Elizabeth’s fundraising efforts, visit her JustGiving page here.