A vegan runner has been awarded a rare award for running six marathons across the globe.

Emma Choli from South Woodford has been awarded the acclaimed prize after completing all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors - a feat achieved by less than 5,000 people across the world.

She has completed 19 marathons in total since she ran her first in Istanbul in November 2015 raising between £500 and £5000 for charity per marathon.

The mother of two said: "I was inspired by the the plight of constant wars and felt the urgency and need to make a difference and impact to someone who may have been forgotten. It was to prove that everyone is important no matter where you happen to be born.

"I enjoy running because it means being part of the best supportive community which is runners. I can say that I have a friend in every corner of the world thanks to my passion of marathon running. I like making a difference and proving all is possible in life."

The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a series consisting of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world.

The races take place in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City.

These marathons are either a time qualifier, ballot or charity placements and are difficult to get into.

There are less than 5,000 people in the world to have achieved the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Her final race was the Tokyo Marathon on March 3, 2019, completed in 05:21:30.

Ms Choli said: "These marathons have been life changing knowing that I am pushing boundaries and making a huge difference to someone somewhere.

"But I keep going for my personal goals that are never ending and to be a role model to my children.

"To all the people that would love to run but maybe they do not have the support or self believe. I feel if I can do it then anyone can.

"I would say it’s the most self rewarding gift that you could ever give yourself. The power to go past hitting the wall and knowing you are stronger than all your obstacles."

She has raised between £500-£5,000 per marathon for charities including Doctors Without Borders, Penny Appeal, Guide Dogs, Playgrounds for Palestine UK and Voluntary Service Overseas.

But it has not been easy for Ms Choli, she is a single mother and before she started running in late 2015, had not regularly undertaken exercise.

The 35-year-old who is currently becoming qualified to be a personal trainer said: "My major obstacle has been childcare issues as I cannot do a marathon without professional childcare in place. There have been times where I have been let down at the last minute therefore I had to call on friends for help."

"It was a slow process as I was extremely unfit. I couldn’t run more than a few steps before stopping, eventually it turned into half a mile then a mile then increasing on each run.

"I found listening to music and zoning out was the best way. I started out hating running until it became part of my life and routine to the point I could not live without my daily fitness regime."