It feels so good at the finishing line!

A police officer from Ashford is overjoyed to have completed the Berlin Marathon while raising money for the Samaritans.

Ruth Goddard, 36, took part in the challenge on Sunday, September 24, and it now means that she has participated in 30 marathons.

The mother of two arrived in the German capital on the Saturday when she collected her number, before the main event the following day when unfortunately the weather started off wet and foggy.

Ruth said: “This time I was in the most pain I’ve experienced in a marathon.

“I have ongoing issues with my back and they reared their ugly head at mile 11 but I didn’t hit ‘the wall’ as there were apples, bananas and hot lemon tea at the aid stations keeping me going.

“The best bit was turning the last corner and seeing the Brandenburg Gate, knowing that the finish line was just past it.”

Currently, Ruth trains with Run Together in Ashford which is an England Athletics Initiative to make running more accessible. They also have sessions in Hamstreet. She added: “The reason I run marathons and ultra marathons is because of the massive high and sense of achievement I get when they are done.

“It feels so good at the end because the journey you make through deciding to do it, training, and the race itself is huge.

“It’s not just the physical aches and pains but the mental strength required, to tell your legs to shut up when they want to walk or sit down.

“There is always an option to quit but it’s about being strong enough not to.

“And when I have that medal in my hand I feel like an Olympic gold medallist!”

Ruth said she chose to run for Samaritans as she feels it is important to remove the stigma of talking about struggles with mental health.

You can still sponsor here at mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ ruthgoddard1#.Wbzj31ZeVGw. facebook

‘This time I was in the most pain I’ve experienced in a marathon’