A MUM-OF-TWO has been preparing to run a half marathon in the Arctic Circle by training in a purpose-built fridge.

Nicky Chisholm, 50, is to take part in The Coolest Half Marathon On Earth, which will see her running in freezing conditions in Greenland.

To mimic the cold, Nicky has been wrapping up warm and testing herself in the University of Brighton’s Environment Extremes Laboratory.

Nicky, who lives near Brighton Marina, said: “I’m part excited, part terrified.

“I wanted to do something crazy and ridiculous but I also wanted to be a good role model to my kids.

The Argus: Nicky Chisholm, centre, will be running in freezing conditions in OctoberNicky Chisholm, centre, will be running in freezing conditions in October (Image: Nicky Chisholm)

“I spent my morning in a room which was minus 20 degrees. It was absolutely nuts, my brain is frozen.”

Nicky, mum to teenagers Calan, 17, and Fin, 14, said that her training sessions inside the laboratory had been particularly important for testing the kit that she will use for the run at the end of October.

The half marathon, which has a field of only 60 to 80 runners from across the world, will take Nicky across Greenland’s glaciers and arctic tundra in average temperatures of minus 16 degrees Celsius.

She said that she was “really proud” to be a good role model to her children, adding: “It’s really good for them to see their mum doing it and that I’m not just a mum.”

Nicky has been training for over a year for the feat, which included a number of long-distance runs as well as acclimatising herself to the conditions that she expects to face.

The Argus: Nicky, 50, training in extreme conditionsNicky, 50, training in extreme conditions (Image: Nicky Chisholm)

Runners complete the half marathon in spiked shoes to help with the terrain and the run must be completed in four hours.

Nicky is doing it to raise funds for two charities, domestic abuse charity Safe in Sussex and Chestnut Tree House children's hospice near Angmering.

She has supported the two charities several times in the past, including abseiling down a castle.

She has so far raised around £500 but wants to reach £5,000. Those wishing to donate to Nicky’s cause can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/team/2022greenland.