A Newcastle breast cancer surgeon is set to take on the full length of the Tyne and Wear Metro system in a day, covering 105 kilometres for charity.

Alice Townend, from Great Park in Newcastle, will attempt the challenge on 8 and 9 August in support of Women’s Street Watch in Newcastle, a volunteer network that helps women feel safe on the streets at night.

She plans to follow both Metro’s yellow and green lines, covering all 60 stations within 24 hours using public roads and footpaths, while staying as close as possible to the train network.

“I want to show other women that big challenges are possible and that age should really be no barrier,” the 53-year-old said.

Townend is a consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. She took up running eight years ago to improve her fitness and has since completed two ultra-marathons and six Great North Runs.

“I love running, it has helped to change my life,” she said.

“Even if I don’t hit target, I am determined to get to the finish no matter what.

“I’ve trained hard to deal with whatever is thrown at me so I’m confident I can do it.”

She said she knew it would be a struggle at times, but said she had “good tools” in her “mindset toolkit” to get her through and would fight the urge to sleep.

She added: “Future Alice will be okay if I get on the Metro because I’m properly injured or I’m ill, but future Alice will not be okay if I get on the Metro because I’ve had a tantrum and I’ve had enough.”

Townend said she was inspired by ultra-runner Paul McDougal from Cramlington, who completed the Metro route earlier this year.

She plans to start at South Hylton before running through Sunderland and South Shields, then back through South Tyneside, Gateshead and Newcastle city centre. She will then head to the airport and back to South Gosforth before taking on the North Tyneside coastal loop, finishing at Monument in Newcastle.

Women’s Street Watch was formed following the deaths of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa. Volunteers patrol Newcastle city centre on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Townend said: “For me running through some of the areas, even in the daytime, doesn’t feel especially safe, and certainly wouldn’t feel safe at night.

“So I don’t have the option of doing it on my own.”

She will be supported by friends, her husband and two sons along the route.

Metro operator Nexus said the challenge had become popular with ultra-marathon runners in recent years.

Lynne Dickinson, station delivery manager, said: “Alice is taking on a massive challenge, and she will also be the first woman to run the Metro route.

“It’s a huge test of endurance, especially when attempting to run the full route in just a single day.”

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