Natalie O'Rourke, proprietor of Park Lane Stables for the Disabled (RDA), is set to take on the famous Man vs Horse running challenge in Wales this weekend.

The renowned annual race in Llanwrtyd Wells, sees competitors running against riders on horseback across 22.5 miles encountering a multi-terrain course consisting of boggy marshes, rivers, mud and hills.

The internationally acclaimed event which first began in 1980, offers a jackpot for a runner who is able to beat the first horse and rider and has been won just three times in its history.

It took 25 years before a runner finally beat all the horses - in 2004 Huw Lobb won in two hours and five minutes, beating the fastest horse by two minutes. His feat was repeated three years later by Florien Holtinger and again in 2022 by Ricky Lightfoot.

Park Lane Stables offers a wide programme for its members including assisted riding, horse care, carriage driving and hippotherapy.

The stables plays a vital role within the Teddington community and across the Richmond borough, enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities or learning difficulties and helping to build confidence, skills and self-esteem, but its day-to-day running naturally incurs high expenses.

Natalie will be taking on the internationally renowned Man vs Horse challenge to raise funds for Park Lane Stables

By taking on Saturday's 2023 Man vs Horse challenge, Natalie will be fundraising to help cover the costs of horse care at the stables with farrier bills costing around £1,000 every eight weeks and hay bills at £1,300 a fortnight.

On her decision to take part in Man vs Horse for Park Lane Stables' latest fundraiser, Natalie told Nub News: "It is really fitting for me to take on a crazy challenge involving horses. Hopefully it will get peoples attention. It is a test of fitness and horsemanship which suits our charity down to the ground."

On her preparation for the 22.5mile course, the Park Lane Stables owner added: "I have trained really hard, been getting up at the crack of dawn to train before work. I often run to work, run in my lunch break and run after work too. There are not many hills in London but I have been using death hill as we runners call it in Richmond Park. I am feeling nervous and excited and definitely feeling my age!"

In and around her hectic schedule at Park Lane Stables, Natalie has been training hard ahead of Saturday

Natalie's fundraiser has already raised £1,485 but the Stables has set a target of £5,000. To donate, the fundraiser can be accessed here.

Ahead of Saturday, Nub News wishes Natalie the very best of luck!