STORMING home in under two hours in Sunday's Great South Run was a Haslemere woman who ran her heart out for the Breast Cancer Campaign.

"You can't take the run out of the girl," said Karen Sweeting, 42, who is battling against the disease while undergoing chemotherapy.

Karen, from Pinewood Hill Road, completed the 10-mile course along the seafront at Portsmouth and Southsea in one hour 58 mins. 43 seconds and has so far raised £700 in sponsorship money from the run.

"It's great news for the research into breast cancer and I'd like to thank everyone who has sent money for the Breast Cancer Campaign .

"I thought it would take me about two-and-a-half hours, and at the two-mile marker I seriously thought of climbing into the back of a nice comfy ambulance," said Karen after the race.

But she said she "gritted her teeth and kept on going at a very slow jog pace".

Describing herself as "one very happy girl" Karen said by the halfway stage she "suddenly developed a new pair of 'Paula-esque' legs and just took off.

"After eight eight miles I got into a bit of a sprint and once I saw the finishing line that was it and I was off. Everyone was cheering and a quick glance at the watch made me realise I could do it in under two hours."

She crossed the finishing line and said she was "absolutely whacked" and was grateful to her husband John, who followed her throughout the race and the marshalls who kept her "from collapsing in a heap at the end.

"I have a slight sore shin on my left leg, but otherwise feel very smug," said a brave Karen, who since last April has undergone a mastectomy and gruelling sessions of chemotherapy, which have left her physically and emotionally exhausted.

But determined to keep going after she caught the running bug from a friend she accompanied on the breast cancer Moonlight Walk in London last year, Karen has raised almost £4,000 for breast cancer research and other worthy causes.

Although limited to the amount of training she can do, she is already looking to compete in the Gosport half-marathon next month.

Any outstanding sponsorship money and donations should be send to Breast Cancer Campaign, Karen Sweeting, Pinewood Hill Road, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2NH.

• Anyone wising to sponsor Karen for her next big race should phone 01428 653543.