It was less sleepless and more success in Seattle for one ‘I Can Run 7’ marathon challenger as she completed race number five and now prepares for her final two events in some of the world’s most extreme conditions.

However, having already run several of her marathons in extreme conditions from high altitude to searing heat, for this latest race 29-year-old Laura Jones was happy to simply take in the scenery.

Laura, from Shaftesbury, said: “It was refreshing to be able to try and appreciate my surroundings during a race, rather than simply try to survive it! I’ve done a couple of city marathons now, but Seattle was very different to London.

“The course was really beautiful in parts, and once we left the city there were some really scenic parks. It was nice to run near the water too and the course was surprisingly hilly.

“It was a great success, I can’t believe that I only started this challenge in April, and I’ve now crossed my fifth marathon finish line. It’s a great feeling now that the end of the project feels closer than ever.”

After pledging to take on the challenge just over a year ago, having never run further than 5km, Laura has since completed marathons in London, Everest, Patagonia (Chile) and Rottnest Island (Australia).

Following her success in Seattle, she is now looking ahead to her final challenges; the Yukon Arctic and Kilimanjaro Marathons on February 1 and March 4, so there’ll be no rest over the festive period.

Laura said: “I’ll be taking a rest from marathons but with the Yukon coming up, I need to keep moving. I’m feeling good and looking forward to it but it’s going to be a tough one. I’ve seen the course and the river that it follows is starting to freeze now. I need to get my kit just right and figure out how to keep hydrated and stay warm enough.”

She will also have added inspiration for Yukon as her husband, Rhys, will be joining her on the course.

“I can’t wait to experience the event with Rhys,” said Laura.

“It’s going to be wonderful to share it from start to finish. He’s been supporting my challenge from the beginning, and has spent many a Sunday morning driving me to various trail races. He’s waited at finish lines and cheered me on and even helped treat my blisters and given me a shoulder to cry on (literally).”

Rhys said: “It’s no secret that I hate running. Over the past year, I’ve watched Laura transition from breathless amateur to marathon veteran. It has been very inspiring, but until now, I’ve resisted blowing the dust off my trainers and getting my creaking knees to a start line alongside her.

“When I started reading in to the Yukon race though, it sounded serious. Sub-zero temperatures and no checkpoints. I wasn’t comfortable with the thought of Laura doing it alone and I couldn’t live with myself if she was eaten by wolves! So, with a little persuasion, I found myself with a pre-printed application form under my nose and a pen in my hand. I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be tough. But I know we can finish it, together.”

Laura is continuing to raise money for her chosen charities; The Jonny Wilkinson Foundation and The Scouts, and has already raised nearly £4,000 – 40 per cent of her target.

She also inspired her local community to take on their own challenge last week where more than 100 Sturminster Newton locals met at SturFit gym to cover 700 miles over 12 hours. Cake sales, raffle tickets and a visit from Father Christmas ramped up the donations for the two charities and Laura predicts this will push the current total to over £5,000, which is half way to her final target.

To keep up to date with Laura’s journey, or to donate, visit icanrun7.com

Laura is currently seeking additional headline sponsors. If you’d like to support her challenge contact her at laura@monixadventures.com