Heather Foundling-Hawker honoured by the Rotary Club of Honiton.

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed ultra distance runner Heather Foundling-Hawker has been named Honiton’s Citizen of the Year.

The 44 -year-old athlete was guest of honour during a luncheon hosted by the Rotary Club of Honiton at The Deer Park Country Hotel on Monday last week.

Club president John Dalton presented Mrs Foundling-Hawker with an engraved silver salver before Belinda Bennett, editor of The Midweek Herald, presented her with a cheque for �50.

The annual competition, organised by Rotarians and supported by The Herald, attracted a record number of entries this year.

Mrs Foundling-Hawker was nominated by local resident Rowanne Clapp.

Announcing the result of the competition, Rotarian Martin Morris-Coole said: “Heather is remarkable. In fact, she is totally remarkable.”

He explained she is a mother to two children, aged 10 and 17, and that, although she was a keen runner when she was younger, she only took up the sport five years ago.

Her distance running had seen her run 176 miles in 36 hours in Greece and she has won two gold and two silver medals for her efforts.

“We are confident she will be a member of the British team at the World championships,” said Mr Morris-Coole.

“She would like to win a gold for Great Britain and run across France.”

In accepting the award, Mrs Foundling-Hawker thanked the Rotary Club for recognising her sporting achievements.

She went on to lead a question and answer session.

Mrs Foundling-Hawker moved to Honiton from Sidmouth 20 years ago.