AN OTLEY businesswoman is preparing for the 'the most amazing' run of her life.

Tish Joyce, who is also a grandmother, is aiming to celebrate her 50th year by completing the first stage of a Run the World challenge.

On July 19 she will fly to Germany and the following day set off on a six week, 2,000km adventure across seven countries.

Describing the challenge on her justgiving page - www.justgiving.com/Grannyrunstheworld18 - she said: "To celebrate my 50th birthday I will complete a run across Europe, from the Netherlands to Estonia.

"Running through Germany to Poland and on through Lithuania, Kaliningrad, Russia and Latvia until I get to the Baltic Sea in Estonia.

"When I finish six weeks later I will have completed a solo 2,000k, unsupported, run across Europe stopping in campsites, hostels and the occasional hotel."

Tish, who is a Programme Director for a European Credit Management Company, actually began the Run Europe phase of her global project last year.

She said: "Last summer I had a crazy idea to run the world.

"I didn't have a clue how or when I would do it, but figured it would keep me focused for a bit.

"I started with a Run to Work, flying from my home in Leeds to Schiphol, in the Netherlands, before running 233 kilometres to Germany over seven days.

"A few months later I left Essen, in Germany, and ran west to Eversberg covering 150 kilometres in wintery conditions over four days.

"That was the warm up!"

She planned her new challenge after completing the 250k Marathon Des Sables in the the Sahara Desert, where summer temperatures often climb above 40C, in 2017.

The event is one of the most difficult footraces in the world but Tish finished in the top 20 percent of female runners, and in the top third overall, from a field of 1,250.

And that was just seven months after undergoing foot surgery at Spire Leeds Hospital.

Tish’s efforts will raise money for Women’s Aid and CALM while raising awareness about domestic violence and male suicide. She is being sponsored by Yorkshire Runner Otley, Ron Hill and Altra.

Looking ahead to the start date, she said: "There’s nothing like a 2,000k run to focus the mind.

"This is without doubt the most challenging task I’ve ever set for myself.

"I feel excited, scared and giddy all at the same time. My dream has become a reality and I’m confident that I will make it happen."

She also praised the Spire Leeds Hospital, and consultant foot and ankle surgeon Nick Harris, for getting her 'fighting fit' following a stress fracture injury.

She said: "I couldn’t have continued running without the skill and expertise of Nick and his team.

"His advice and insistence on my strict recovery regime made it possible - I cannot thank him and his team enough for this fantastic result."