Having a passion for your work is one thing. But most would think running 53 miles in one day would be beyond the call of duty.Not for Maree Limpus, who is in training to run a double marathon along the coast from Cromer to Snettisham.

Having a passion for your work is one thing. But most would think running 53 miles in one day would be beyond the call of duty.

Not for Maree Limpus, who is in training to run a double marathon along the coast from Cromer to Snettisham.

Her muscle-aching feat will mark 40 years of the Norfolk coast being protected as an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and happens to coincide with her own 40th birthday this year.

Ms Limpus, community officer for the Norfolk Coast Partnership, set up in 1991 to promote the Norfolk AONB, is also raising money for Norfolk's only adult hospice outside Norwich: the Norfolk Hospice at Tapping House at Snettisham.

Ms Limpus, from Hindolveston, said: “People do recognise it as a very beautiful area, but it is not about getting more people to come to it - it is about realising we can all do things that make a difference.

“The Norfolk coast is how it is because of how people have interacted with it over hundreds of years.

“I want people to appreciate how special it is and get them to want to do something to help to keep it that way.”

Her training has involved going for long runs at the weekend with her woolly lurcher, Tawhai, and hour-long runs in the week. She also cycles a 17-mile round trip to work at the partnership.

And it is not the first time she has run 53 miles.

Two years ago she ran a double marathon for a charity devoted to teenagers with cancer.

“It is funny how, over time, the memories of the pain starts to fade,” she said.

“I remember when I eventually finished the last 53-mile run I felt on top of the world.”

t The run is on April 16 . To sponsor Maree go to www.justgiving.com/

NorfolkCoastRun or call 01328 850530.