A MUM who racked up 78 marathons in just two years is about to run her 100th.

Janine Simpson, from Colchester, has always been a keen runner, but only started taking part in races about 13 years ago.

Running the London Marathon had always been on her bucket list, and in 2006 she was accepted into her first race.

She has also taken part in marathons in New York, Boston and Chicago.

The 46-year-old said: "In the early days I would run one or two marathons a year, but then two years ago I had reached 22 marathons as I decided I wanted to go for 100.

"I ended up running 78 marathons in just over two years. It's tough going, sometimes I run the marathons back to back over a weekend.

"I have also done quads, where I run four marathons in a row."

She achieved a Personal Best of three hours and 33 minutes during a race in Vienna, but says it is more about clocking up the number of races than the time she runs them in.

So far she has not suffered any major injuries.

She said she enjoys the social aspect more than anything.

She added: "I have met so many people, it's just getting out in the fresh air.

" I work in London as a chartered surveyor which can be a stressful job, so it's good stress relief.

"You come back feeling good."

Her main aim is to become a member of the elite 100 Club, which is specifically for people who have completed 100 marathons.

She is raising money for Action for Children, and Gosbecks Primary School, which her seven-year-old daughter Ella-Grace attends.

She said: "The school wants to buy a new projector, I have raised £1,600 and hope to reach £2,000 so they can buy one.

"I have also raised £7,000 for Action for Children.

"I just want to give the fundraising one final push before the marathon this month."

She has set up two fundraising pages, one for each cause.

Visit make-a-donation.org/fundraisers/janine-simpson and www.sponsorme.co.uk/janinesimpson/project-marathon-100.aspx