More and more retired women are taking endurance challenges. This year has seen an 89-year-old grandmother taking part in the Dublin mini-marathon, and 91-year-old Haarriette Thompson of North Carolina broke the record for the fastest marathon completed by a 90-year-old at the San Diego Marathon in June. Land Rover has even made 70-year-old surfer, Gwyn Haslock one of their ambassadors. In their television advert she defiantly tells the audience, “Don’t tell me I’m too old!” before we see her take on a wave far more elegantly than I ever have.

To find out what it takes to reach retirement age and still have the energy, physical strength and determination to take on difficult physical challenges, we speak to  Helen Lutley, 65, who lives in West Wales. She has taken part in the Snowdon Marathon, trekked to the Everest base camp, and hiked 30 miles over the Brecon Beacons. This year she plans on taking on Tough Mudder.

What challenges have you done?
I’ve taken part in the TrekFest Brecon Beacons 30 mile Trek Challenge, Snowdon Marathon, Lukla to Kala Pattar (Everest Base Camp), a 120 mile trek in Nepal, abseiled down Diplomat Hotel in Bahrain, Parachute Jumped, and done half marathons in Bahrain, Llanelli, Carmarthen and Dale.