Ultrarunner, Sophie Power, has just set a new world record for the longest distance covered by a woman in two days on a treadmill, after she made the achievement - subject to official Guinness World Records confirmation - at the National Running Show at the NEC Birmingham.
After running more than 226 miles (365km) in 48 hours, whilst running for SheRaces, the charity, at the National Running Show, she set up to champion female runners, she beat the previous record of 211.49 miles (340 km). Power rose to prominence in 2018 when an image of her taken during the 2018 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc captured her breastfeeding her son, during a 103-mile race, one of the world's toughest ultra-marathons, while a male competitor napped beside her.
"It's been an incredible challenge and I'm very thankful it's over," she said. "I’m hugely thrilled to have achieved the record and doing it for a cause close to my heart.
Power said that she made it her mission to break down barriers facing women in sport, especially greater consideration of women's needs in race planning. She set up the charity for women to have better equity and inclusion in trail running and ultrarunning.
"SheRaces is about changing the narrative for women in endurance sports - breaking down barriers, creating opportunities, and empowering women to achieve their full potential," she said.
"This record is proof that when given the platform, we can achieve the extraordinary." She went on: “Running on a treadmill was harder than running outdoors, as the unchanging environment makes it mentally exhausting.”
She added: "It was tough while trying to keep moving, and the monotony tested my resilience.” But, ultimately, doing it for SheRaces and ensuring her daughter does not experience the barriers she faced kept her going.
