A GRUELLING challenge, which has pushed two runners to the edge both mentally and physically, has almost come to an end. 

Tomorrow, Paul Dewar and Sonja Foster will run the last of their ten consecutive marathons in ten days. 

Brathay Trust’s Annual 10in10 is a testing and, at times, brutal event. 

For Mr Dewar, it has meant walking some of his final three marathons due to a tear in a muscle above his left knee. 

For Ms Foster, it has meant running through moments of incredible emotion. 

The 46-year-old grandmother, of St Quintin Avenue, Barrow dedicated her fifth marathon to her best friends’ son, Kingsman David Shaw. 

While she was out on the roads around Windermere, Dave and Jenny Shaw were at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire to meet the Queen as she unveiled a memorial to fallen soldiers of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. 

Ms Foster said: “From the moment I got up I was thinking about them, I just couldn't get David out of my head. 

The run is a kind of blur in places as I was deep in thought about all the things that had gone on since he passed away. 

I think the pain in your heart never leaves you, you just get better at dealing with it.” 

By day sicx Ms Foster was in so much pain, she joked that even her eyelashes hurt. 

But the camaraderie and team spirit has continued to carry the group of 12 incredible athletes around the 26.2mile course day after day. 

Among that team has been Ulverston landlord, Paul Dewar, whose challenge started much longer ago, on May 1. 

Before beginning his ten marathons, Mr Dewar’s “To Hell and Back” ultimate triathlon challenge saw him cycle from Lands Ends to John O’Groats and back to Cumbria. 

He then topped off his ten-day bike ride by swimming the 10-mile length of Windermere. 

In total, his endeavours will have seen him cover more than 1,600miles by the time tomorrow is over. 

The Ulverston Tri Club member is now just £1,000 away from reaching his £16,000 fundraising target for Brathay, the Ambleside-based national children and young people’s charity. 

The funds will support the roll-out of the charity’s new Focus on Furness initiative, which aims to reach out to those living in Barrow and the surrounding areas and equip them with the skills and confidence they need to progress. 

Mr Dewar said: “I’m extremely thankful for the continued donations, support and encouragement. 

“Hopefully I’ll be able to run better by tomorrow. I’m getting great support from the team of therapists from Carlisle Uni, headed by Adam from Designed to Run clinic in Ambleside. All the runners have been suffering but are in good spirits all round with the end in sight.” 

The 10in10 challengers will finish their final lap of the course on the same day runners are welcomed to Brathay for the 10th annual Windermere marathon and inaugural half marathon. 

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/tohellandback1600 to sponsor Mr Dewar. Visit https://www.justgiving.com/Sonja-Foster4Furness/ to sponsor Ms Foster.