Surgeon takes on 65-mile Metro challenge for women's charity

A breast cancer surgeon is preparing to run the entire length of the Tyne and Wear Metro system in a day. Alice Townend, from Great Park in Newcastle, will attempt the 65-mile (105km) challenge on 8-9 August in support of Women's Street Watch in Newcastle, a volunteer network helping women feel safe on the streets at night. She will follow both Metro's yellow and green lines, covering all 60 stations within 24 hours using public roads and footpaths and sticking as close as possible to the train network. "I want to show other women that big challenges are possible and that age should really be no barrier," the 53-year-old said. The consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, took up running eight years ago to improve her fitness and has completed two ultra-marathons and six Great North Runs. "I love running, it has helped to change my life," she said. "Even if I don't hit target, I am determined to get to the finish no matter what. "I've trained hard to deal with whatever is thrown at me so I'm confident I can do it." She said she knew it would be a struggle at times, but she had "good tools" in her "mindset toolkit" to get her through and s