A woman who was once told she might never walk again has run 5,000km across the UK and Ireland to set a Guinness World Records title, bringing her challenge to Wakefield along the way.

People who took part in Esmée Gummer’s Wakefield run club can find the official Guinness World Records participant certificate on the Guinness World Records website.

Esmée completed The Nation’s 5k after 99 consecutive days on foot, hosting free community run clubs in cities across the UK and Ireland. Thousands took part, helping make the challenge a collective achievement.

Her achievement was officially recognised in London on October 3, when she was confirmed as the Guinness World Records title holder for the most run clubs hosted in different cities by an individual. The record recognises 76 different cities.

Esmée said: “Ninety-nine days ago I honestly didn't know if my body would get me to the end. What I did know was that if I turned up, the communities I was running to would turn up too, and they did, every single time.

“This record isn't really about me. It's what happens when people show up for each other, city after city, week after week. I've never felt so looked after by strangers, and they very quickly stopped being strangers.”

Starting on June 27, Esmée ran between cities across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales and England, leading a free, open-to-all 5k run club in each location. The challenge ended with a finish line event in Hyde Park in London.

In total, she covered the equivalent of 118 marathons back to back, climbed 62,000 metres in elevation and ran for 580 hours. She welcomed 6,684 people through her run clubs.

At 18, Esmée was paralysed from the waist down following complications during a routine operation and was told she might never walk again. She relearned to walk before going on to complete marathons and ultra-endurance challenges around the world.

The challenge has raised thousands of pounds for charity, with donations shared between Sport In Mind, the UK’s leading mental health sports charity, Wings for Life, which funds spinal cord injury research, and causes nominated by the public.

The fundraising campaign remains open, with donations accepted through Esmée’s GoFundMe page.