Sandra, 72 will run three marathons in three months to beat macular disease

Just one marathon would be a challenge enough for most people, but 72-year-old Sandra Orlando is planning to complete three in the space of three months.

Sandra is taking on the fundraising mission to help find a cure for macular disease. It will begin in March when she runs the Washington DC Rock and Roll Marathon, followed by the London Marathon in April and finally the Edinburgh Marathon in May.

“I’m calling it a marathon-a-thon” she said.

 Sandra has age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but thanks to monthly injections in her eye her condition is currently stable.

 She said: “My sight will never again be normal and there is no guarantee that the deterioration will not return or that my other eye will not be affected.”

Sandra only started running as a New year’s resolution at the age of 64, while she was living in America.

Since then, she has completed a streak of more than 500 continuous days of running at least a mile, and qualified to represent England in her age group at the marathon distance.

Last year she ran the London Marathon to raise money for the Macular Society and has so far raised more than £7,000 for the charitty through her various fundraising efforts. She is determined to help find a cure for macular disease.

She said: "Although I remain optimistic that I will continue to lead a normal life I want to take the opportunity now, to raise some money towards research into a cure and better treatments, and to provide much needed help for those who have not been as fortunate as I.”