THOUSANDS of running enthusiasts across the UK completed a London Marathon with a difference earlier this month – but not many people would have done as interesting, or as arduous, a route as Melanie and Dan Graham.

The mother and son team took to the hills of Mid Wales in sickening weather on Sunday, October 4, running from Builth Wells to Tirabad and back across the vast Epynt mountain range. It’s a beautiful place for a walk or run normally – but pouring rain and driving winds presented a mighty challenge to the duo.

Still, it’s one they rose to magnificently and completed impressively – in a fine time of six hours, 24 minutes.

“That was probably the hardest marathon I have ever completed and I’m so proud to have done it with my son Daniel,” said Mel, who has run the London, Edinburgh and Boston marathons previously and had originally won a place at London 2020 as a poignant way to mark turning 60 in January.

“A few months ago I never would have thought this day possible after fracturing my pelvis but today I did it.”

Despite the cancellation of the event due to coronavirus, Mel still raised money for two charities – Mind and Versus Arthritis – and was able to collect £445.

“It’s still a pretty good amount for a small town, so thanks everyone, it means a lot to me,” she added.

“I chose Mind because so many people are suffering from mental health problems, especially since the pandemic came along, and I know how awful it can be. I also chose Versus Arthritis because as someone who suffers the pain of it every day I know how debilitating it can be and is sometimes not taken seriously enough and so I wanted to raise awareness of how painful it can be.”

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Mel and Dan, 36, set off from a dark Groe car park in the centre of town just after 7am, returning to the same spot just after lunchtime, having completed 26.5 miles and 3,400ft of climbing in driving rain, mud and wind.

“It was an epic challenge but we had a great day out,” said Dan, an avid runner who has participated in numerous fitness challenges but never previously taken on a marathon.

“We picked a more interesting route, as we both love trail running and being out in the hills.

“The weather was not kind to us, and it was very bleak at times, running into a head wind with driving rain in your face, but I loved it, it was such a good route.”

The pair had great support during the day and would like to say a huge thank you to Kerry Graham, Mel’s husband and Dan’s dad, as well as Dan’s wife Jade and her mum Jill, who kept them refuelled and supplied dry clothes along the route.