A BUSY mum-of-four from Soham is preparing to take on her third marathon in 12 months to remember her friend’s daughter who died of meningitis.

Ely Standard: Beth GreenBeth Green (Image: Archant)

Beth Green has vowed to complete three full marathons and three half marathons in the space of a year to raise money for charity Meningitis UK.

The 36-year-old businesswoman has already completed two runs and is now in training for the Cambridge Boundary Run Half Marathon on March 3.

She pledged her support to run in memory of three-year-old Amelie Clipson-Smith, who died of meningitis in November 2008.

Amelie, whose mum Sally Clipson grew up with Beth, died within 12 hours of contracting the disease.

The three-year-old fell ill and was rushed to hospital in Bordeaux, France, where her family was living whilst dad Kevin Smith worked there as an aeronautical engineer.

Sadly, due to the rapid speed the disease took hold, doctors were unable to save her. Her organs were donated and helped save three children’s lives.

Beth, from Soham, wanted to do something special to remember Amelie so she promised she would complete six marathons within a year.

She completed her first run, The Great Eastern Run, a half marathon, in Peterborough on October 14, with a time of two hours and three minutes.

Then, just 15 days later, her stamina was put to the test when she took part in the Dublin Marathon. Despite a hip injury Beth battled on, clocking up a time of four hours, 38 minutes.

Once she completes the Boundary run, she has just a week before she takes part in the Cambridge Half Marathon on March 10.

Her weekly fitness schedule includes a 13-mile run, which she will build up to 20 miles over the coming weeks, a boxercise class, swimming, a short run of up to six miles and a spin class.

Alongside this gruelling regime, Beth also juggles looking after her four children, aged from two to ten, with running her handmade gift business Bibbles & Bunting.

As soon as Beth completes the two 13-mile runs her thoughts will immediately turn to her next challenge, the most famous of them all – the London Marathon.

She will then have just six week to recover and limber up for the 26-mile Edinburgh Marathon on May 26.

Beth said: “Sally and I grew up together and are like sisters. This is why I was so close to Amelie and why I wanted to do something in her memory.

“Meningitis strikes so quickly and without warning. It’s not just about raising money, it’s about raising awareness so other families don’t have to go through what Amelie and her family went through.”