A MUM-of-two is set to take on the UK’s toughest half marathon just three years after being told she would never run again.


Zoe Dixon, 42, from Weaverham, fell from a balcony while on holiday in 2012, leaving her with a broken back and shoulder, three broken ribs, a punctured lung and head injuries.


But despite being told by doctors that she would never run again, Zoe was determined continue her love of exercise and is now ready to take on the Brooks HellRunner Hell up North run.


Zoe said: “I have always been one for walking long distances and would exercise regularly so the accident really did knock me back. One of the hardest parts was to be told I would never run again. I had a five vertebrae metal fusion and was told I needed time to recover but with my son’s birthday only a few days away I was determined to get out of hospital.”


Two years on from the accident, Zoe was going for 13 mile walks every weekend and was determined that she would run again.


She added: “After completing the ‘Couch to 5k’ programme I decided to attend a Park Run every Saturday until I was able to run 5k under 30 minutes. I am now a member of local running club Razzers Runners and after completing another mud run earlier this year I jumped at the chance to challenge myself further in Hell up North. I will run with my younger brother, Mark.”


This will be Zoe’s toughest challenge to date but she is determined to complete the UK’s toughest Half Marathon for a personal achievement as well as to raise money for Forever Angels; a charity created by her sister Amy Hathaway to support orphaned, abandoned, sick and poverty stricken children in Tanzania.


Amy said: “I’m touched that Zoe will be taking part in the hellish run for our charity. I set up the charity in 2006 and since have cared for over 270 babies, all made possible through generous donations from people like Zoe. As we continue to grow and help even more severely malnourished infants, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone, including Zoe, for their support and kind donations.”


Brooks HellRunner Hell up North is the second event in the infamously all natural, three-strong Brooks HellRunner series which has been running for 12 years. The event will take place on Saturday, October 17, at Delamere Forest.


To sponsor Zoe visit justgiving.com/ZoeAndMarkHellRun.