She may not be one in a million but a Perth nursing assistant proved that she was at least one in 10.
A daunting 100km trek through London proved to be a walk in the park for Sharon Gibson, as she battled blisters and fatigue to cross the finish line.
Unfortunately for 3,000 other participants, the Thames Path Challenge was just too much and only a handful made it all the way from Putney to Henley.
Although she can boast of being one of the few to complete the endurance test, modest Sharon would only describe her impressive achievement as ”satisfying”.
”It was quite intense,” she said.
”There were pit stops along the route and lots of people just gave up after having a wee rest because they couldn’t go on.
”To be honest, I was quite tempted to stop myself after I’d walked 63km but I kept going and it was satisfying to know that I had accomplished that.
”My feet were in bits by the end, though.”
The 30-year-old, a nursing assistant at Murray Royal Hospital in Perth, raised more than £400 for the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity close to her heart.
Sharon told The Courier that, after working with patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia, she was inspired to use her newfound love of fitness to help them further.
Nestled in the back of a health magazine was the answer: an advert for the Thames Path Challenge.
Sharon added: ”It looked interesting so I decided to sign up and do it.
”I started to go to the gym more often and also went for lots of long walks on my own, as well as climbing Birnam Hill.
”I wanted to do this for Alzheimer’s because I see how people struggle to cope on their own with it before reaching crisis point.
”I thought if I could give a little bit of my time to support them, then it could make a real difference.
”I just want to thank everyone who sponsored me and also Steve Bonthrone for his help in getting ready. That really made the difference.”
Her preparations also involved a shopping trip to stock up on essential kit to see her through the 24-hour event, including new walking boots, a backpack and a head torch.
Next came a frantic drive to raise sponsorship, which involved haranguing colleagues and friends for donations, eventually amassing a three-figure sum.
Now her feet have fully recovered, Sharon has signed up for another 100km challenge which will take her from London to Brighton.
Starting in Richmond upon Thames on May 25, the mammoth trek will take participants into the suburbs of London, through the heart of Surrey and Sussex, and over the South Downs to Brighton the following day.
Although she was unable to find any takers this time round, Sharon is determined to bring some of her friends on board for her next event.
”They think I must be totally off my head but I’m hoping they’ll support me,” she said. ”If they don’t join me then I’ll still be happy to do it alone because you meet so many new people along the route.
”The atmosphere of the Thames Path Challenge was just amazing and we all encouraged each other to keep going.”
To take part, however, Sharon must raise a minimum of £400 in sponsorship for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Donations can be made by contacting her through her Facebook page.