(Image: VetPartners)
A York-based CEO has completed a 58.4km ultra-marathon to raise funds for two charities.
Jo Malone, chief executive of VetPartners, took on the 5 Valleys Ultra in Ambleside on Saturday, September 26, finishing the challenge in 8 hours and 54 minutes.
She completed 2,303 metres of ascent across tough Lake District terrain, crossing the finish line as the 33rd female out of approximately 300 women.
Ms Malone said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have made it across the finish line.
"It was an incredibly tough day, but also one I'll remember for a very long time.
"There were definitely moments when I wondered why I had signed up for it, particularly on some of those climbs.
"But knowing that we were raising money for two causes that mean so much to me kept me going."
Ms Malone raised £9,000 through her GiveWheel page, with donations from colleagues, friends, family and the wider veterinary community.
VetPartners doubled the amount raised for Vetlife and contributed an additional 20 per cent of the total raised for Macmillan, bringing the final donation total to £14,400.
Ms Malone added: "I'm incredibly proud that we've been able to raise £14,400 between the two charities.
"A huge thank you to everyone who donated, encouraged me, followed my training and cheered me on.
"I genuinely couldn't have done it without them."
She ran the ultra-marathon in support of Vetlife, which provides mental health and wellbeing support to the veterinary community, and Macmillan Cancer Support, which supported her mother through cancer twice.
Ms Malone is a long-time advocate for wellbeing within the veterinary profession and understands the impact of both charities.
She said: "Macmillan is incredibly special to me because of the support my mum received when she went through cancer.
"I've seen first-hand the difference their nurses and wider team can make, not just to the person going through treatment but to their family too.
"Vetlife is equally important to me.
"Through my work in the veterinary profession, I've seen how much pressure people can be under and how important it is that there is somewhere they can turn for confidential support when they are struggling."
Ms Malone founded VetPartners in 5, starting with three veterinary practices and expanding into a group that now spans the UK and Europe.
The ultra-marathon is the latest in a series of running challenges she has completed since taking up long-distance running later in life.