Taking on the challenge of running a marathon is difficult enough.
And when you throw in blazing temperatures and tough terrain, the task is made all the more gruelling.
But one north-east couple have taken on an intense South African marathon, and raised more than £2,000 for sick children in the process.
Zanda and Katherine Mitchell, of Fraserburgh, braved the Comrades marathon, a 56 mile race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in South Africa last month.
The couple completed the race in 10 hours and eight minutes, and have so far raised more than £2,000 for The Archie Foundation, the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
Mrs Mitchell, 41, said it was the friendliest race the pair had ever taken part in, with all competitors helping and encouraging each other on.
“The day after it, while painful, was also very funny,” she said. “We were so stiff we were walking around like penguins, but when we went out into the streets of Durban there were hundreds of people all walking the same way.
“We knew where they had been the previous day. Archie is a very popular charity in Fraserburgh and we knew doing this would help local children.”
She added: “My daughter was in Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital to have her eyes tested and we saw a lot of ill children and wanted to do something, so that’s why we chose to run the Comrades marathon for them.”
To train for the distance, the couple ran 75 miles each week, doing two long runs one day after another to train themselves to keep going, even when tired.
They also prepared themselves for the intense African heat by training in long sleeves, hats and gloves.
David Cunningham, chief executive of The Archie Foundation, said he was in awe of the couple’s achievement.
“This has taken a huge amount of courage and determination by Zanda and Katherine and it is wonderful that they chose to run for children in our hospitals who show the same qualities themselves,” he said.
“This is a magnificent gesture and it will help The Archie Foundation to make a big difference for these children and their families. We are so very grateful to the Mitchell family.”