By Lucy Clapham 

lucy.clapham@courier.co.uk

AN extreme sportswoman from Robertsbridge is prepping herself – and her knitting needles – for a gruelling marathon challenge with a twist.

Susie Hewer is competing in four of the 26-mile races this year but as well as putting her fitness to the test, her handicraft skills will also get a grilling as she will be knitting as she runs.

On top of this, the 53-year-old charity champion will be attempting to beat her own Guinness World Record for knitting the longest scarf while running a marathon.

Mrs Hewer – who is also known as the Extreme Knitting Redhead – has 20 marathons under her belt already and will be raising money for Alzheimer's Research when she takes part in the Brighton Marathon on April 10, the London Marathon a week later, the Salzburg Marathon on May 15 and finally the Liverpool Marathon on October 9.

She said: "I've been in training all year, huffing and puffing round the roads and country lanes in Robertsbridge.

"It was hard going during the miserable winter weather, getting wet through some days and nearly blown off my feet on others – but it will be worth it.

"Goodness knows how I'm going to beat my knitting record at the London Marathon but I'm certainly going to have a good try and really can't wait."

Mrs Hewer has chosen Alzheimer's Research as her charity after her mum died of vascular dementia in 2005.

To support her effort, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ extremeknittingredhead