A SECLUDED beach of golden sand surrounded by crystal blue waters is perhaps the idea of a perfect honeymoon for many people.

But for former Hereford Cathedral student Vikki Frith, who grew up in Lugwardine, the destination looked a little different.

Just a week after tying the knot at St Francis Xavier Church on Broad Street, Vikki was completing a 69-mile ultra-marathon event with husband Ben Thompson.

The gruelling challenge saw the newlyweds run cross-country from Carlisle to Newcastle, Mr Thompson's hometown, along the route of Hadrian's Wall.

"It went ok, we got through it," said Mrs Thompson. "I have done the London marathon twice and do lots of triathlons. Ben used to do a bit of cycling but hadn't done any running before. But it was his idea, he wanted to do it for a challenge."

The couple, who met in Antarctica where Mr Thompson was on a British Antarctic Survey Research ship with the Merchant Navy and Miss Frith joined as a scientist, spent a week in the Lake District following their Hereford wedding.

They then set off on the exhausting challenge and completed it in fewer than 15 hours.

But the couple, who are both 26 and now live in West Reading, are the adventurous type.

Mr Thompson even proposed to his new wife while they were on a cycling trip in the Alps.

Their participation in the ultra-marathon helped to raise funds for The Apostleship of the Sea, the charity which provides practical and pastoral care to all seafarers.

In all the main ports in Great Britain, the charity's team of chaplains and volunteer ship visitors visit thousands of seafarers each year, meeting their needs through the provision of support and advice.

More than £1,500 has already been raised thanks to the couple's unusual honeymoon adventure but to help them raise even more visit justgiving.com/BenandVikki.