TO RUN seven miles can require an intense training programme for some.

But to run that distance while barefoot is something that no amount of training can prepare you for.

That wasn’t a problem for Clare Banks, though, for she put her best foot forward to run from Byrness to the Scottish Border for charity.

Clare (33), of Haltwhistle, ran the 113th leg of the national fund-raiser inspired by the Barefoot Soldier, Major Chris Brannigan’s, 700-mile barefoot walk from Land’s End to Edinburgh, in full military kit,earlier this year to raise money for the rare disease Cornelia de Lange Syndrome.

Chris' daughter, eght-year-old Hasti, was diagnosed with the condition in 2018 and for which there are no treatment options.

Obama the Llama, Hasti’s favorite soft toy, acted as the baton in the relay and the volunteers shared their photos and videos on social media using the #barefootrelay hashtag.

A retired police officer and mother of two, Clare admitted that she didn’t undertake any barefoot training before the run because it might have left her second-guessing her challenge.

“I just decided to wing it because I thought it would only hurt once,” Clare said. “It was grim. The gritters had just been before I ran and I decided to run instead of walking to get it over with.”

Yet Clare insists that her feet aren’t in too much pain.

She explained: “My feet are not as bad as some other people’s but the knee pain is something I wasn’t expecting. My knees were hurting more than my feet.”

Alongside her husband who also ran the course (with shoes on) she received support along the way from passing cars and lorries who helped her raise more than £900 for the Hope for Hasti fund.

"I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve received and to everyone who has donated," Clare said.

"Having the company of Obama the Llama has been a great reminder as to why I’m doing this.”

Bath soaks have helped with the pain to her feet after the run, but Clare insists: “I’d do it again 100 per cent.”

People can donate to the cause by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/clare-banks7.