SHE may have smashed five new British records but Marie Caldwell's health almost took a tumble when she competed in Saturday's 24 Hour Track Race at Hull

The searing heat forced the gallant 61-year-old Holcombe Brook mum to collapse after 4 hours but she defied the medics to carry on after a two hour break and complete the gruelling event.

Marie covered a total of 76 miles and smashed the British women's over-60 records for the 30, 40 and 50 miles and 50 and 100 kilometres and she might even have a European record to her name once ratified this week.

"We set off at 10am and at around 4.15pm I spotted a couple I knew and went off the track for a second," she explained. "Once I stopped running I felt a bit dizzy then found myself in the recovery position on the grass with an umbrella over me.

"Someone said an ambulance would soon arrive and the next thing I knew there were sirens and paramedics all over."

"I knew there was nothing seriously wrong with me because it's happened before."

"After being thoroughly checked over someone asked if I'd be dropping out and I told them they must be joking.

"I'd been on the radio, in my local paper and had sponsorship to collect for Bury Hospice, there's no way I could stop."

Fortunately Marie recovered enough after a couple of hours to carry on in the event finishing as third lady out of six and ninth overall from the 14 competitors who started.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor Marie and the Hospice can contact her on 01204 887305.

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