A mother who was forced to drop out of her first ever 10km race has now crossed the finish line – 169 days later.

Eastern Daily Press: Theresa Cornish with the other competitors.Theresa Cornish with the other competitors. (Image: Archant)

Theresa Cornish, from Mile Cross, spent six months training for the Run Norwich event last year and raised £200 in sponsorship.

But just two days before the event on August 7, the 43-year-old had to pull out from the race after tearing her calf muscle.

Now, more than five months later, Miss Cornish has completed the course, supported by 25 other friends and family members.

She said: 'It was a great feeling when I crossed the finish line and I still feel amazing when I think of all the support I had.

'I had been devastated when I suffered the injury, because it was my first official 10km race. But I wanted to complete it because a lot of people sponsored me and it was a matter of personal pride.'

Miss Cornish, who only started doing the Catton Parkrun two years ago, completed the course in one hour, 14 minutes and 20 seconds.

And in doing so, she fulfilled her sponsorship, which is to be donated to the Norwich Community Sports Foundation.

The payroll adviser said she had been doing step-ups in her home when she tore her muscle last year, leaving her in 'excruciating' pain.

But after eight weeks of recovery, she began training again with her fellow parkrunners, ready for the challenge on Sunday.

Having been inspired by her story, race organisers, the Community Sports Foundation (CSF), surprised Theresa with full finish-line honours.

After breaking through the finish tape, she was awarded a medal and goody bag by the charity.

Co-runner and friend Justine Davenport, who helped organise the run, said: 'We stuck to the route as much as we possibly could, though obviously it was an added challenge with road and pedestrian traffic. We received some great support though – many of the cars stopped to let us cross the roads.'

Miss Cornish was also given a free place at Run Norwich 2017. Entries for the race open tomorrow.