A PRESTATYN supergran ran the New York Marathon after recovering from a battle with cancer.
Valerie Johnson, 63, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2001, raised £2,000 for Bowel Cancer UK by taking part in the 26-mile run through the Big Apple.
Retired nurse Valerie, who worked at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd for almost 30 years, said: "I have always had a keen interest in keeping fit. I knew I could never run the whole thing but set my mind to power walking and jogging.
"I usually walked along the coast and built up to 22 miles from Llandudno to my home six weeks ago.
"After the marathon I was fine until about half an hour after I felt a bit sickly. The morning after I was aching a bit but by lunchtime it had passed."
Valerie, who along with husband Paul, 65, is a former member of Melyd Squash Club finished the marathon in six hours and 49 minutes.
Paul, who made the trip to New York to show his support, said: "It's amazing I'm so proud of her. I was quite surprised. We have been married 41 years and she told me that one thing she wanted to do was run a marathon, I nearly fell through the floor.
"It has been very exciting, the whole family has been thrilled to bits."
While suffering from cancer Valerie also had to cope with the death of her brother, from stomach cancer, and her father.
She said: "With working in Glan Clwyd I was aware of the symptoms. I did not delay in getting them checked out. The sooner you get your symptoms checked out the better.
"I would like to thank all my sponsors so far, family, neighbours and friends, but especially everyone in the X-ray department at Glan Clwyd.
"I would also like to thank Andy's Tyres, Celtic Cars, the girls at MirrorCurls and Jason from the New Inn, Dyserth." You can still donate money to Valerie at www.justgiving.com/valeriejohnson