A retired British judo champion from Douglas will be fighting her way to the finish line in the Great North Run.

Ruth Douthwaite, who has won seven gold medals in the Island Games, will run her first half marathon at the age of 59 in the Newcastle event for Hospice Isle of Man.

The compliance contractor is ’pleased’ to be raising funds for the charity after a cancer scare in 2018.

She said: ’Dr Alan Stone (who is now retired) from the Village Walk Health Centre advised me to handle my anxiety brought on by the illness by getting out there and running.

’Through much prayer and support and being treated at Royal Liverpool Hospital for the last 12 months or so, I’m thankfully okay now and I was determined to come out of the scare fitter, healthier and stronger.’

The mother-of-one has been running since January and signed up for the 13.1 mile distance about 10 weeks ago.

Liz Partridge from Let’s Run helped her to achieve the couch to 5K and since then she has completed a 10K on her own and is now a member of Northern Athletics Club.

’I run at a snail’s pace but just happy to run!’ said Ruth.

Running made up a small part of her judo fitness when competing in the 80s and 90s.

She is graded a fourth Dan black belt.

Ruth was ranked number two in Britain from 1986 through to 1990 and was voted North West female judo personality of the year twice.

She competed under her maiden name Vondy, before marrying Mark Douthwaite.

She claimed many medals in the British International Open, Commonwealth judo tournaments and in competitions all over the UK.

Ruth’s talents have led to her gaining a place in the Isle of Man National Sports Centre Hall of Fame.

The keen cello player will be busking in Strand Street alongside Paula Wadsworth and Roselle Reynolds on August 24 from 10am to midday - weather permitting- to raise funds.

’The sound of three cellos playing together is quite spectacular and we’ll be playing a lot of the well-known classical music which has been arranged for three cellos with a few lighter tunes thrown in,’ Ruth said.

Search: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ruthgreatnorth

The half marathon takes place on September 8.