AN INSPIRATIONAL Chard mum has completed her hundredth marathon and is now looking to take on the toughest race on earth.

Jackie Wiggins, who works at Phoenix Fitness in Chard, first featured in the News as she prepared to take on her first marathon, in London in 2011.

She then crossed the pond to take on the New York marathon before she started to increase the distance, with her current longest effort being a 100 mile race that she completed in 27 hours.

Mrs Wiggins said: “It started with the London marathon on the bucket list, so in 2011 I completed it and thought after all that training I would enter the New York marathon in the same year.

“The following year I completed four marathons, the next year I did 12, and each year I increased with it taking six years in total.

“Some last year I focused on distance so took part in a 50mile and 100 miler race. But as the numbers started to increase after 25, I decided the 100 marathon club would be my goal.

Jackie completed her 99th marathon on September 16, and her 100th marathon the next day.

She added: “The hardest parts were organising races, clashing with other things, up early in all weathers on tough courses but equally this made the achievement more rewarding.

“The race director thanked all my family and friends on my behalf and pointed out more people had actually climbed Mount Everest than belonged to this very special club.

“It was absolutely fantastic getting presented the hardest earned vest ever with my friends and family there who have supported me throughout this journey, along with those in mind who couldn’t make the journey as it took place in Kent.”

The mother-of-two is not content with her 100 marathon jersey, and she is looking for local businesses who are willing to sponsor her to take on the hardest race on the planet.

She added: “My next goal is to focus on my good for age time to qualify for Boston USA and to find a sponsor for the Marathon Des Sables - the toughest foot race on earth - a gruelling 250km over six days in temperatures of 50C, carrying my own kit and sleeping in the desert.

“But for now I get to represent the UK at the Palma marathon in three weeks time so I’m looking forward to that.”