Arunners' Nuala is nearing 100 Marathons

The 51-year-old, who is a member of Arunners Running Club in Littlehampton, is just eight races away from reaching the century.

Smyth edged closer to the golden 100 total after she completed The Breakfast Club Marathon in London on Monday.

Smyth’s first ever 26.2 mile race was back in 2008 when she took part in the London Marathon.

Now, just six years later, Smyth is set to join the elite 100 Marathon Club, with the South Downs Trail Marathon in June.

She knows there is still a lot of work to do before becoming a member of the club, though, and said: “I’ve still got eight to do between now and June, so there is still a lot of running yet to do for myself.

“I used to watch the London Marathon and thought that was something I always wanted to do. In 2008, I was lucky enough to get a club place and it just went from there and I haven’t stopped since.

“Becoming one of the 100 Marathon Club was something that never really crossed my mind but once I got to 25 I felt I could well do it.

“It’s still a massive thing for me to do with eight still left to go between now and June.

“It’s a big ask but I never thought I’d be on the verge of getting to that total.”

Out of the 92 races Smyth has completed, she feels her 2013 and 2014 ultra-marathon races in the Comrades, South Africa, were the toughest.

Speaking of those races, she said: “I went to South Africa in 2013 and did an event called Comrades, which is a ultra-marathon with a 56-mile course.

“I mean the distance alone is difficult but the terrain, temperature and being away from home made it a big ask.

“I’d say in the UK, racing in the Beachy Head Marathon was one of my toughest.”