Southend woman with cystic fibrosis sets world record

Doctors told Sophie Holmes she would not live beyond the age of 16

A woman who was told she would not live past aged 16 due to cystic fibrosis has set a world record for running 36 marathons in 36 days.

Sophie Holmes, 32, from Southend-on-Sea said her prognosis motivated her to take on the challenge.

Ms Holmes started the endeavour with the London Marathon on 21 April and finished in Edinburgh last Sunday.

She has set the world record for running the most consecutive marathons as a female with cystic fibrosis.

Guinness World Records confirmed her achievement once she completed all 36 marathons.

Speaking to BBC Essex after the challenge, Ms Holmes said: "It still blows my mind to think what I have done and I don't think it really has sunk in yet."

Sophie Holmes raised £25,300 for charity by running 36 marathons

"My whole life I have been told I won't be able to achieve anything but yet here we are.

"I actually did it, there was never a doubt but obviously the days brought on their own challenges and the days were a rollercoaster of emotions," she added.

She said the marathons have been the "hardest thing I have done in my whole life" but added that she had raised £25,300 for charity.

"But it is incredible and we raised an incredible amount of money," she said.

• 'Cystic fibrosis inspired my world record attempt'

"The reason I did was for the world record and as a personal challenge but also to provide hope for people who are having problems with cystic fibrosis or kids with cystic fibrosis, or are just facing hard times, to show that you can overcome and achieve things that technically you shouldn't be able to and you can defy the odds.

"I am so grateful and thankful to anyone who donated."