TWO Peebles women are "walking on air" after completing an impressive running challenge in aid of Motor Neurone Disease research.

Emma Cummings and Katy Noble spent the last week running 5-7km a day, before taking on a 13.48km run from Peebles to Walkerburn on Sunday – which they completed in just over two hours.

The pair were inspired by the late Doddie Weir and Kevin Sinfield.

And they have raised more than £1,000 for the MND Association – more than five times their original target of £200.

On Sunday, despite anxiety and apprehension for taking on their longest run for the Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge, Emma and Katy were delighted to reach the finish line where they met loved ones and received their 7 in 7 Challenge medals.

"The people that were at the finishing line made it great for us," said Emma. "My mum and her partner were there, Katy's partner was there, friends from work were there. It was really nice."

Before Sunday neither of them had seen their medals as Emma's mum was looking after them ahead of the final run.

Along their route on Sunday loved ones met Emma and Katy at a rehydration station in Cardrona and they were met again with friendly faces when they reached the finish line.

Emma said that completing the challenge "felt amazing".

She added: "It all sort of came together. The medal's lovely.

"Katy was amazing to run with, just the confidence booster.

"I was getting a bit of a wobble on the day just because of the waiting around and the anxiety kicking in.

"But she was like, 'no, we've got this, it's just another run we can do this'.

"And she was right, as soon as we started running, I don't know what the wobble was for because it felt great to meet her partner in Cardrona and have our hydration stop there.

"And then when we got to Traquair Road a the end of the cycle path at Innerleithen my mum, my stepdad, my step-sister and my wee nephew, and her partner were all waiting on us with the banners – and water and chocolate."

As part of the challenge, Katy and Emma ran around 37.57km each.

At Walkerburn Emma and Katy also came across fellow MND fundraisers the Cycling Souters.

Emma said: "They [Cycling Souters] saw us cross the finish line and they weren't sure what we were doing because my mum was giving us our medals.

"Katy and I explained our story and what we were doing.

"And they were raising money for Doddie."

One goal for Emma was to complete this challenge before her 30th birthday, which she celebrated yesterday (Thursday).

She said: "It feels amazing. The fact that I've done it, and done it before I'm 30.

"And I've not let myself down by saying I can't do it. I'm still walking on air."

At the time of publication, Katy and Emma had raised £1,105 for the MND Association, with cash donations due to be added to this total.

To donate to Emma and Katy's challenge fundraiser, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emz-cummings