In the wee hours on New Year’s Day – when most people would probably be partying or sleeping – army major Kelly Lim, 39, will set off on a 30-hour, 160km run to raise funds for charity.

Through her run, named Click-4-Klick, she hopes to raise $50,000 in public donations for next year’s President’s Challenge.

Starting at 3am on Jan 1, she will do five laps around Bedok Reservoir, run to MacRitchie Reservoir, then finish with 12 laps around that reservoir, by about 9am on Jan 2.

She will take one-minute water breaks every 5km to 10km, and coffee and food breaks when necessary.

She decided on this feat to fulfil a new-year resolution she thought of in September.

She said: “I want to do something meaningful for Singaporeans in need in this recovering economy.”

Ms Lim, who has completed more than 30 marathons since she began participating in 2001 to improve her fitness, also wanted to challenge herself.

Her longest run to date was 131km in 24 hours, which she and her friends completed at MacRitchie Reservoir two years ago.

To prepare herself, Ms Lim took part in more marathons recently: two in October, four last month, and one this month.

Last month’s four marathons, each at 42km, were completed within eight days in the United States.

She said: “For a beginner, it is not healthy running four marathons consecutively within such a short period of time, but for an experienced runner like myself, it isn’t as serious.

“Still, it was difficult when it came down to the last marathon. I was physically and mentally exhausted but managed to complete it.”

This weekend, she will go for one last run before her New Year’s Day run – at the MR25 Ultra Marathon Race at MacRitchie Reservoir, which will span more than 50 km in length – to familiarise herself with the terrain and conditions.

She has also continued with her usual training regimen of running on a treadmill for up to 11/2 hours, four times a week; and a run of up to four hours at MacRitchie Reservoir with her friends over weekends.

She will rest for an entire day before the 160km run, and will eat food high in carbohydrates, such as pasta.

During the run, she will drink water containing proteinand carbohydrate-mix powder, and eat cup noodles and hard-boiled eggs for energy.

Nine support runners will take turns to run with her, to look out for objects like low-lying branches and alert her.

Other friends will be on hand to supply her with water, and an ambulance will be on standby.

Those who wish to donate can visit www.click-4-klick.blogspot. com. So far, more than $4,000 has been raised.

Next year’s President’s Challenge aims to raise $8 million.

For more my paper stories click here.