ULTRA distance runner Sharon Gayter has started her world record treadmill attempt.

With a target of setting a double record, she will spend two days and two nights running at Teesside University in an attempt to cover a distance in excess of 200 miles.

The current world record for distance covered on a treadmill in 48 hours is 322.93km – just over 200 miles. On route to the 48 hour record, she is also hoping to break the 12 hour record, which stands at 96.80km – just over 60 miles.

The runner, who is a part-time lecturer at Teesside University, made headlines in 2011 when she spent seven days on a treadmill, smashing both the men’s and women’s world records and covering a total distance of 833.05km or 517.63 miles.

During her career the athlete has run more than 300 marathons and 100 ultra-distance races, including the Badwater Ultramarathon of 135 miles across Death Valley – billed as the hottest race on earth. In 2009 she won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championships 24 hour event.

She said: “The 48 hour world record is one that I have been eager to do for a long-time and I am very much looking forward to it. But it will be the hardest one as I’ll have to set a good pace for the first 12 hours and then just keep on going as best I can.

“I’m grateful to Teesside University for once again showing me incredible support and I’m both mentally and physically prepared for the challenge ahead.”