A FORMER Cambrian News reporter says she is delighted to have “helped save lives” after completing the Cardiff Half Marathon.

Laura Clarke, who grew up in Tywyn, ran the gruelling 13-mile event in the capital on Sunday, 1 October, alongside five of her colleagues at Pelican Feminine Healthcare.

The team were running for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to raise money and awareness of cervical cancer, a disease which affects thousands of women every year.

Laura has not collected all the money yet but expects to have raised approximately £450.

She completed the run in three hours and 20 minutes, well below her target time.

She was overtaken by a clarinet, Sonic the Hedgehog, two coffee mugs and a knight in armour within the first three miles though.

“I am really pleased with my time, considering my main aim was just to get over the finish line, but preferably in less than four hours,” she told the Cambrian News.

“The first six miles were great – a breeze even!

"And then I started to struggle. Hitting the 10k sign and realising I still had the same distance again to run was tough. What really got me through were the spectators – the race has such an amazing atmosphere. Almost every inch of the route is lined with people cheering, clapping and offering words of support.

“I never thought I would find myself saying this, but I will be signing up again next year and I can’t wait!

“If you have already donated, I’m incredibly grateful, you have helped change the lives of women - and their friends and family - whose lives have been affected by cervical cancer.

“If not, there’s still time to donate so please visit our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/pelicanfh";