By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 12:17, Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Cumbrian travel worker Michelle Stacey is in training for her first-ever road race.

Michelle Stacey

The 44-year-old, who lives at Wigton, works as a sales and customer services manager at Reays Coaches in the town.

The firm recently signed up as an official partner of one of Cumbria’s newest sport events – the Cross Border Challenge.

Taking place on Sunday, July 29, the historic 10k fun run will see participants travel over from Gretna to Carlisle.

It is one of only a few cross-border running events in the world and has been launched to coincide with the Olympics.

Organiser Mike James, of GB Events, contacted Reays to see if they would bus participants from the finish line in Kingstown, north Carlisle, up to Gretna ready for the start of the race.

Michelle said: “He came in to talk about transport and for some reason I found myself telling him it was a really good idea and I might do it myself. I’ve never even ran before!

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this though. I’ll definitely give it a try.”

Michelle, who will be joined on the day by operations assistant Jenna Harrison and part-time helper Joe Scott, has been following a strict eight-week running programme to help boost her fitness levels.

“I started off running half a mile but have been going out three times a week and gradually building it up,” she said.

“I think I’m ready. I really want to run all the way.”

The Cross Border Challenge is aimed at both fun runners and club runners.

Mike said he has been particularly encouraging first-time runners like Michelle who are inspired by the London Olympics to take part.

All participants will be given the chance to support one of three designated charities of the year – the Eden Valley Hospice, the Olivia Story Trust and the Marie Keating Foundation.

The event will get underway from the Garden House Hotel in Gretna and follow the new road south, running parallel to the motorway.

Runners will then cross the finish line at Kingmoor Park North.

A ‘finish village’, sponsored by Kingmoor Park, will be specially set up at the site.

For more information visit www.crossborderchallenge.gbevents.net.

First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk