A WEE COUNTY woman has just passed the half-way point of an ambitious challenge to complete 10 events in a year in memory of her mum.

In March, Sarah-Jane Burns embarked on a mission to mark a decade since Joan Watkins, 59, lost her battle with bowel cancer.

She kicked-off with 10,000 steps a day for a month, followed by the Stirling Race for Life, Alloa Half Marathon, Race for Life Edinburgh 10k and the Great Scottish Festival 10k.

On Sunday, July 8, she conquered the Race for Life Perth 10k and has another 45.5 miles to go.

The 41-year-old admits it has been hard-going so far, not least finding time to train, but also running in the hot weather.

She has been sticking to her motto to "get round in one piece" and had a great time at the latest event, which saw everyone soaking up the atmosphere.

The warm conditions, and the lack of rest periods in between her races, made it tough for Sarah-Jane.

However, she dug deep to remember the cause, saying: "At times I was struggling and I was just thinking, well my mum struggled a lot more when she was unwell."

Sarah-Jane added: "The running community are very friendly – that's what I would say to anyone who wants to take up running."

The Dollar woman has well and truly caught the running bug which is, in part, thanks to Weight Watchers and the Tilly Run Buddies.

With the group helping her focus on healthy habits, and her running friends providing plenty of support, it is something she is quite passionate about.

She is moving closer to her weight-loss target, has a new found energy for life and enjoys the flexibility of her diet plan.

Along with raising money for Cancer Research, she hopes more people will consider running and embrace the great outdoors in the county.

She said: "It was just to raise awareness really, to get more people involved.

"I'm not a professional runner, I have just taken this up later on in life. You don't have to be running at high speeds to get round.

“Get out there and just enjoy what a beautiful countryside we have got in and around the area."

Next up for Sarah-Jane is the Auchterarder Half Marathon, the Scottish Half Marathon, Great Scottish Run 10k and the Cardiff Half Marathon.

"I'm looking forward to them," she added. "I'm also a bit terrified because I have never done that amount of distance in such a short space of time, but I'm really excited for them."

Sarah-Jane has raised more than £2,500 for Macmillian Cancer Research and Cancer Research since her mum passed away.

Anyone wishing to contribute to her fund can do so at justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-jane-burns7