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Student Jodie's Everest triumph
A STUDENT with cystic fibrosis has returned home to a hero's welcome after completing the world's highest marathon.
Brave Jodie Symington, from Marsden, South Shields, took part in a 10-day trek just to get to the starting line of the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon.
Despite her condition, the brave 23-year-old completed the 27-mile challenge, which sees competitors trekking the mountain terrain, to raise cash for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
And as Miss Symington returned home yesterday, family, friends and a brass band lined Durham railway station platform as her train pulled in, to welcome her home.
Miss Symington, a former Whitburn Comprehensive School pupil, said: "When I got off the train I was totally dazzled by everything which was going on."
The Newcastle University student, who is currently taking a year out to work for Avecia in Teesside, which specialises in biotechnology, completed the race in 12 hours, alongside her doctor Stephen Cronin.
Although Miss Symington says she's one of the lucky ones, her condition means the low oxygen levels and high altitude during the marathon and trek were potentially life-threatening.
Now she is trying to find out if she's the first person with cystic fibrosis to reach Everest base camp, and the youngest person to complete the race.
Miss Symington added: "I'm chuffed to bits with my time, because I couldn't even run, it was that hard to breathe for much of the race. It was so tough, but definitely worth it."
Despite only being home a day, Miss Symington is already planning her next trip.
"I want to do the Iron Man endurance race in New Zealand in 2010," she explained.
"I also think I'll be doing the Great North Run again this year."
Miss Symington completed the race with Dr Cronin, a consultant paediatrician at South Tyneside District Hospital, who was born in Cleadon, but now lives in County Durham.
Also taking part were Guy Fleming-Jones, from Durham, whose six-year-old son Dylan has CF, and Barry Wilkinson, also from Durham, who is a friend, and experienced in taking part in major sporting events.
Their fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust has passed the 50,000 mark, but with more cash still coming in, and other events in the pipeline, Miss Symington is hopeful of hitting their 75,000 target.
Her mum Denise, 50, said: "She has done really well, and we are all so proud of her."
Miss Symington added: "I want to thank everyone who has sponsored and supported the team."
If anyone would like to sponsor Miss Symington, visit www.justgiving.com/THCF
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Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
