Chichester mum prepares for 100k South Downs Challenge for charity

Hazel Rochez, 57, will be completing the 100k South Coast Challenge this weekend to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

The 62-mile course runs from Beachy Head in Eastbourne to Arundel across the South Downs this bank holiday weekend.

Mrs Rochez has already run 14 marathons in aid of Alzheimer’s Society and, with other fundraising activities, she has raised more than £21,000 for the charity.

Hazel’s mother, Thelma Jenkinson, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2001 and died in 2003.

Hazel said: “Alzheimer’s is such a cruel disease. We felt that we’d lost mum long before she actually died.”

Wanting to do something in memory of her mother, Hazel ran her first marathon in 2004 to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

She said: “This is my biggest challenge so far – running more than two marathons in two days!

“It will be very tough but the thought of raising money to help the work of this wonderful charity will keep me going.”

The mum-of-four has run marathons all over the world, including London, New York, Brighton, Berlin, Vancouver Island, Portsmouth and The South Downs Way.

The route on The South Downs Way and Coastal Path passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in East and West Sussex.

Hazel will run approximately 50km – just over 31 miles – each day with an overnight break in Brighton.

She added: “Running to raise funds is something I can still do for Mum.

“All it is really is just putting one foot in front of the other.”

To sponsor Hazel in the 100km South Coast Challenge 2016 go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Hazel-Rochez1