INSPIRATIONAL blind runner Debbie Impiazzi demonstrated her determination not to let disability deter her by competing once again, in the challenging Gibbet Hill 10k, hosted by Haslemere Borders Athletic Club.

This year, Mrs Impiazzi’s team of helpers included her daughter Jess, 27, the model and Ex On The Beach reality TV star, who has scaled three mountain peaks herself to raise money for The Surrey Association for Visual Impairment – the charity that provided a lifeline for the family following the devastating diagnosis.

Mrs Impiazzi was one of 39 club members taking part in last Wednesday’s challenge.

The 28th annual event attracted 200 runners from across southern England.

Mrs Impiazzi lost her sight 11 years ago because of a rare degenerative eye condition – uveal effusion syndrome.

She won a Sport Haslemere Award last year in recognition of the fighting spirit she demonstrated by successfully competing in the 2015 Gibbet Hill 10k after just running on a treadmill.

Building up to last year’s 10k challenge and helped by fellow club members acting as guides, she took part in 5k park runs and completed her first road 10k.

Haslemere Mayor Sahran Abeysundara, accompanied by his consort Howard Bicknell, started the race in Weydown Road.

The route took runners by way of muddy trails and tracks, courtesy of the National Trust, up to the summit of Gibbet Hill, along the rim of the Devil’s Punch Bowl and eventually down Farnham Lane to the finish on Lion Green.

At the finish, club chairman Bob Monteath thanked The Royal School for its generous sponsorship and invited junior school headteacher Holly Hirst to present the prizes.

The event was also supported by Alton Sports running stores.

Paying tribute to all the helpers who had assisted at the start and finish and had marshalled the course, Mr Monteath said: “To operate a successful event such as this, there has to be a great team and yet again HBAC turned up trumps.”

Each year a trophy given in memory of club member Chloe Piper, who died from cystic fibrosis aged 22, which is presented to the fastest Haslemere woman.

This year’s winner was club member Donna Reed.