A WREXHAM runner has smashed her own consecutive half marathon Guinness World Record, and she's not done yet. 

Helen Ryvar, from Llay, has run 159 daily half marathons in a row to date, getting up at 4am each day to do them before she starts work as a cleaner.

The mother-of-three is running to raise money for Mind, following the tragic sudden death of her ex-husband in 2020, just before the lockdown hit the UK.

She said it was a huge shock, leaving her kids devastated. Running helped the now 42-year-old deal with the bereavement process, by focusing her energy on something positive and staying strong for her children.

She began running or walking short distances every day and by February 2021 embarked on a 28-day challenge to run a half marathon every day.

She enjoyed it so much she continued the streak and by April realised she could break the women's Guinness World Record of 75 consecutive half marathons.

By May 2021, she had set a new record of 111.

The Leader:

Earlier this year, Helen was contacted by Mika Shevit in the US who is attempting to break the men's half marathon streak - he has passed 500.

"He asked if I would streak with him, I said yes, and here we are," she said.

"This time I wanted to do it for charity. Although I didn’t use Mind when I was at my lowest, I know health starts in the mind and having had years of counselling I know it’s important for people to know there is help out there, so I wanted to support them."

She has raised over £2,000 for the charity. To donate, please visit https://bit.ly/3fNSrgh.

She began her second record attempt in May and by August 20 had broken her own streak. 

She originally set out to reach 150 consecutive half marathons, but is keeping going to see how many she can do.

The Leader:

Helen said: "I’ve decided to continue my streak for as long as I can, with no set goal for the number of runs in mind, I’m just going to take it day by day and run as many as I can.

"Waking up early and getting a run done before my day's begun has had such a positive effect on my life, I don’t want it to stop.

"As well as raising vital funds, I want to remain fit and healthy for my children who are now aged 13 and 16. Running helps keep my body and mind healthy, and it fits in with my lifestyle perfectly. Sadly my father passed away during the current streak after long-term illness, and I promised him I’d run 150 for him too."

She has run up mountains and to various trig points to include Moel Famau and three times up Snowdon. Her routes have varied every single day, to include beaches, trails, hills, fells and roads - with an elevation on this streak the equivalent of hiking up and down Mount Everest more than two times. 

The Leader:

Helen said: "I’ve run through rain and sunshine, on the darkest mornings and have seen the most spectacular sunrises. I’ve run parkruns, run with friends near and from afar. I’ve made friends along the way.

"Every day's been an adventure, never a chore. I’m so grateful to everyone that has supported me along my journey."

To keep up to date with Helen's progress, follow her on Facebook at Helen Ryvar, as well as Helen Ryvar on Strava and R7VAR on Instagram. 

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