When it comes to a 70th birthday present, to receive a marathon entry from your husband is probably not everyone’s ideal gift!

But for Denise Cousins, that’s exactly what happened.

On Sunday, she lined up at the start line of the ABP Newport Wales Marathon along with 6,000 other athletes.

Six hours 45 minutes later, Denise crossed the finish line to claim her first ever marathon medal.

Denise has completed eight half marathons (five Cardiff, two Long Course Weekends and one Reading), but before Sunday’s event had only run a maximum of 14.5 miles and that included a stop for coffee!

Denise, who began running five years ago when she was 65, trained for the 26.2-mile marathon with her sister-in-law with whom she ran the course with staying together as much as possible.

“It was a case of do or die,” said Denise. “Since I started running, I have wondered could I run a marathon and wanted to know if I could or not.”

She continued: “It was a challenge to say the least, but the atmosphere around the course was fantastic with music from bands and spectators cheering and clapping and giving out food and drinks all the way round.