A CHARD mum-of-two has completed a gruelling 100-mile run to inspire other people to get involved in sports.

Jackie Wiggins, 44, of Phoneix Fitness in Chard, completed the 27 laps of the Samphire 100 in Dover in 27 hours.

She is part of a group hoping to bring a defibrillator to Chard but plans are still in the early stages.

Mrs Wiggins said: “I have done 84 marathons in the past and I did 26 in the same year. My challenge was to run 100 miles but I didn’t know if I could do it.

“I just thought: ‘Why not give it a go?’ and in April I did a 50-mile run in Dover that was kind of training.

“When I did the 100-mile run it happened to be the hottest weekend of the year. I ran all through the day and even the night was 25C. I finished on Sunday. It took me about 27 hours.”

Jackie did have small stops to change shoes and socks and to get a drink, but no more than 10 minutes.

She added: “Lots of people didn’t finish because it was so hot. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it. I knew I had the mental strength but I wasn’t sure if I would get a blister that I couldn’t keep running through.”

Now she knows that she can complete the challenge, Jackie is hoping to do it again and to raise money for charity.

“On the day I said: ‘Never again’ but now I know I definitely will. My ultimate aim is to complete the Marathon de Sables. I feel ready but it is about when I can do it financially. It is £5,000.

“Doing Samphire 100 on the hottest day of the year was good training for the Marathon de Sables, except I didn’t have to carry my supplies for a week, or camping equipment, or any of that.

“I am keeping that as the top of my list. I want to show people that if a mum-of-two can do this, so can they. I have two boys, aged seven and 14, who came at the end with their dad to cheer me on with friends.

“I want to thank all friends and family, particularly those who were there on the day, and members of Phoenix Fitness in Chard.

Jackie hopes with fundraising they will be able get a defibrillator in town.

She said: “Watch this space for the future. It seems crazy that Chard doesn’t have a defibrillator. I know some of the smaller villages and towns have got one,and somewhere as large as Chard really should too.”