A duo from Helensburgh Amateur Athletics Club embarked on a 10,000 mile voyage to Antarctica to complete their toughest marathon.

Jan Fellowes and Debbie Savage spent 16 hours on a plane and two whole days on a ship to participate in a world marathon challenge.

Shandon resident Jan, who has been running for as long as she can remember, originally agreed to complete the Six Star Finisher with Debbie - but before long was persuaded to complete all seven continents.

The 66-year-old was the first lady over 60 to complete the race, whilst her husband Paul Thompson won first place in the half marathon.

She told the Advertiser: “I told Debbie “right, that is it” when we had completed five marathons, but she was determined for us to do it. I have run several marathons in Europe and a few in North America, but that was the most difficult and the most expensive one.

“For Antarctica we had a lovely day, and it is an experience I will be sure to treasure because I don’t think many people can say they have done that.”

Personal trainer Debbie was inspired by a newspaper article from more than 25 years ago about a woman who completed seven marathons across the seven continents of the world - also known as World’s Marathon Majors.

With more than 50 marathons under her belt, Debbie is no novice when it comes to competing in races all over the world - but she knew that the conditions meant it would be challenging.

Debbie said: “Antarctica was awesome. It was honestly so amazing getting to travel somewhere so far away to do what I love.

“We covered 3,000 feet of elevation and it was honestly the hardest race we’ve taken part in, but it was as brilliant as it was brutal and the icing on the cake was seeing the penguins as we crossed the finish line.”

So far, the pair are only one of 7,000 people worldwide - and one of the first in the Helensburgh club - to collect the Six Star Finisher certificates after completing their “most challenging marathon” in Antarctica and the other five marathons, which were in New York, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, London and Tokyo.

With only one continent now left - South America - the running duo plan to take part in a marathon in Chile next spring to complete their lifelong dream - having had their plans to complete a magnificent seven interrupted more than once by Covid.

Jan added: “We were originally planning to do a marathon in Rio, but due to the pandemic it has been cancelled three times.

“Nothing is going to stop us from succeeding and I am glad I have had Debbie by my side throughout the whole journey.”