A best-selling author will take on a gruelling 70-mile running challenge.

Bryony Gordon, who is also a feature writer and columnist for the Telegraph, will start her challenge at the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 7.

She will finish two weeks later at the London Marathon on Sunday, April 21.

Between the two events, she will run the distance between the two cities.

Bryony will be running on her own at both the Brighton Marathon and London Marathon, but friends will join her on her journey from Brighton to London.

Together they will run and chat, discussing their mental health.

Bryony has OCD and over the years has also suffered from depression, bulimia and drug dependency. 

By taking part in the challenge, she hopes to raise money for her charity Mental Health Mates, which she set up in 2016.

The charity is a national network of volunteer-led peer support groups that encourage people to get moving and talking.

Bryony has completed the London Marathon twice but is excited to start her challenge on the South Coast.

She said: “Brighton is where we’d all live if we could. I have lots of special memories of the city, and I’m excited to try a new route I don’t know. It will be exactly what I need to kick start my Big Challenge. 

“I’m hoping that by going out and doing this challenge as a 43-year-old, size 20 woman, who has had a history of depression and addiction, I can show people that if I can do it, imagine what is possible for you.

“We want to drum up support and energy for the challenge. I know the crowds will be there and help me for the Brighton Marathon and the London Marathon, but we want people to come out and join in the run from Brighton to London and help celebrate the power of movement for mental health. And maybe they’ll be inspired to sign up for a bigger challenge next year: we’ve all got to start somewhere.”