A TEACHER with multiple sclerosis (MS) from Westhoughton will be running her first 35 mile ultra-marathon in memory of her dad who died last year due from kidney failure.
Catherine Sadat-Shafaee, 30, was diagnosed with the neurological condition just before her 25th birthday.
She suffers from episodes of fatigue and pains in her left leg, which is weaker than her right.
After joining the running group Howfen Runners, she found that running helped to ease her symptoms and strengthened her muscles.
Having completed her first two marathons last year, Catherine is embarking on her an ultra-marathon in May in memory of her father Tohid Sadat-Shafaee, who died at the age of 66 on March 23 as a result of kidney failure.
TRIBUTE: Tohid Sadat-Shafaee
Tohid, who also suffered from Parkinson's Disease, moved to Westhoughton from Iran 40 years ago.
Family and friends will accompany her on the last 10 miles and Catherine intends on finishing the ultra-marathon at her father's grave in Westhoughton Churchyard.
Catherine, who teaches at Buile Hill Academy in Salford, said: "I'm running to raise money for the Kidney Research Foundation who do some incredible work.
"I'm hoping to raise £1,500.
CLOSE: Tohid and Catherine Sadat-Shafaee together on her graduation day
"Dad had kidney failure for nine years, he had a transplant in March 2016, but the immune suppressants led to him contracting chicken pox and he ended up in a coma for four months.
"He lost his kidney in the August and went back on dialysis until he died.
"The staff at Bolton dialysis were utterly outstanding, they took incredible care of my dad for nine years and we were all so saddened by his passing."
ACHIEVE: Catherine after completing a 26 mile marathon last year for the MS Society
Members of the Howfen Runners are planning on breaking up the ultra marathon between them so they can accompany Catherine during the challenge.
The teacher is also battling the affects of Long Covid, having contracted the virus in October, which has aggravated her fatigue and side effects of her MS.
She added: "It has impacted my training but I've been able to run up Rivington Pike and back recently.
"My breathing is more difficult sometimes and I get a tightness in my chest.
"I did run two marathons last year, but I know 35 miles will be tough, both mentally and physically.
"The Howfen Runners have been so supportive, they ran along with me last year and will be doing the same again."
You can donate to Catherine's Just Giving page.
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