Walker beaten by Trailtrekker pledges to defeat it this time

Last year the 28-year-old was distraught after being unable to complete the Oxfam Trailtrekker event – a 100km charity walk through the iconic national park.

After 18 hours she was forced to pull out, having completed a creditable 42 miles of the course.

But so determined is she to return and conquer the behemoth hike, Miss Reed has already signed up for this summer’s event.

“We’d done all the hills and were onto the flat when I dropped out,” she said. “That’s what’s been bugging me. It’s defeated me... and now I want to defeat it.”

Tackling the peaks and vales of Trailtrekker – now in its third year – is no mean feat. The route takes in the magnificent 694m Peny- ghent and 80m Malham Cove before passing through Deepdale and Kettlewell and ending back at the start line in Skipton.

Those who manage to finish are rewarded both with stunning scenery and the knowledge they have raised thousands of pounds for charity. Last summer 537 hikers – all walking in teams of four – collected a staggering £270,000 in sponsorship for Oxfam.

It was the disastrous earthquake in Haiti last year which sparked Miss Reed’s charity drive, and she initially undertook Trailtrekker because she “wanted to physically do something that would help someone else.”

Her Trailtrekker team, Chicks with Sticks, a foursome of former school friends, want to raise £3,000 – double the minimum required to register. “It’s a case of doing what I did last year and then improving,” she said.

The 100km Oxfam Trailtrekker takes place over the weekend of June 4 and 5. The Yorkshire Post is media partner for the event.

Oxfam are still looking for teams of four to take part. For more information or to enter, go to www.oxfam.org.uk/trailtrekker.

To donate to Miss Reed’s team, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/chickswithsticks.