A WOMAN who has undergone a mastectomy and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer last November, is in training to run a 10k race in September.

Jackie Hughes will join thousands of other runners on the start line of the Tees Pride 10k in Middlesbrough on September 4.

And at this week’s official launch at Acklam Hall, the 51-year-old mother-of-three told how she believed running had helped her battle the deadly condition.

Ms Hughes started running in 2008, going on to take part in Middlesbrough’s flagship 10k and 5k events, and seeing her times tumble as her fitness grew.

Then on November 20 last year her world was turned upside-down when she was diagnosed with grade three triple negative breast cancer.

Once over the initial devastation, Jackie decided that remaining positive was the only way to tackle the fight that lay ahead, and that approach helped her cope with a mastectomy in December and a course of chemo that finished on May 11.

Just 11 days later on May 22 Jackie achieved the remarkable feat of completing the 5k Race for Life, raising nearly £3,000 for Cancer Research in the process.

She said: “I believe the fitness I gained from running and preparation for the 10k helped me greatly during my chemotherapy as well as with my recovery.

“I’m not saying I’m a fitness fanatic but since taking part in my first 10k I’ve generally looked after myself better.”

Now well on the road to recovery, Jackie is building up her training programme and eagerly looking forward the 10k in Middlesbrough.