A ‘superwoman’ runner from Havering is set to cover the equivalent of two marathons a day as she completes a mammoth journey across Nepal this month.

Environmental scientist Lizzy Hawker, 35, set off on her 1,000 mile run across the Himalayas last week, armed with just a satellite phone, a sleeping bag, a bivvy bag, a stove and food.

Dr Hawker hopes to raise �6,000 for charity Community Action Nepal in an ambitious challenge that will see her reach heights of 6,200 metres.

Raised in Upminster and now living in the Swiss Alps, Lizzy worked for the British Antarctic Survey before quitting to pursue ultra-running. Just three weeks ago she set a new world record for the longest distance run in one day – covering 153.5 miles in 24 hours at the Commonwealth Ultra Championship in Llandudno, north Wales.

Lizzy even finished two miles ahead of the first male competitor in the race, John Peres, who called her “a world class athlete, a superwoman.”

Dr Hawker, who has named her challenge Sky Dance, said on her website: “My project is to follow the Great Himalayan Trail across the breadth of Nepal from Kanchenjunga Base Camp in the east to Hilsa on the western border with Tibet.

“My dream is simple - to cross this beautiful country keeping as much as possible to trails through the high mountains - moving fast and light - with minimal support - making a journey within and without (body, mind and soul) - and sharing this experience so that it becomes something so much deeper than my own personal journey.”

Lizzy has been keeping followers updated on Twitter, and on Saturday said: “slow progress this morning across earthquake triggered landslides- & life already so hard for people in these remote corners of nepal...”

Follow Lizzy’s progress on her blog: www.lizzyhawker.blogspot.com

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/skydance