Here are just a few of the stories of the inspired and inspirational runners taking part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and the Leeds Half Marathon on 12 May.
Joe Stearne from Castleford is on a mission to run 100 marathons in fifty-two weeks to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
When he entered, Joe had already run a staggering sixty-five marathons in twenty-four weeks and will ultimately be ending his mammoth marathon challenge at the finish line of the marathon. At the time, he said “My goal is 100 marathons between now and next year, finishing the challenge on home soil at Leeds Marathon 2024; giving myself 52 weeks to complete the challenge, averaging 2 marathons a week most weeks when my body recovers and allows me to do so.”
Two years ago Joe’s world was rocked when he received the devastating news that someone close to him was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkins Lymphoma. “Macmillan has been vital in ensuring we are feeling as well equipped as we possibly can be, so now I feel I am ready to give back!” Joe says.
To support Joe on his fundraising mission click here
Melanie is one of the inspirational runners who will be running the Leeds Half Marathon later this year. Melanie has stage four incurable triple negative breast cancer.
Melanie’s running journey began last year when she signed up for her very first marathon, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. Young, fit, and healthy, it was just one week before she was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer. Determined to still run the marathon and after speaking with her oncologist, Melanie was advised that she could still run the marathon providing that she started a very tough chemotherapy regime just three days later.
Fast forward a year, Melanie is back on chemotherapy. Determined to keep up the running, Melanie will be running the Leeds Half Marathon with her colleagues at Rucklidge Law to show that anything is possible, even with a life-limiting disease. We caught up with Melanie to find out more about her running journey and why running the Leeds Half Marathon this year means so much.
“Hi, I’m Melanie Hartley. I’m 40 years old and I have stage 4 incurable triple-negative breast cancer. I’m running the half marathon in May and I’m not letting my cancer diagnosis stop me! In May 2023, I was diagnosed with this very aggressive form of breast cancer. It came as a big shock. I was fit and healthy, I exercised and ate well and was only 39 years old. I’d also been training for the Rob Burrows Leeds Marathon that year so I was literally at the peak of my fitness.
My diagnosis came only a week before I was due to run the Leeds Marathon. This was my first ever marathon and I’d trained so hard for it. My oncologist, being really into running and fitness, was very happy for me to still run the Marathon provided I started a tough chemotherapy regime just 3 days afterwards. So I did. I ran that difficult hilly marathon on such a hot day with my new diagnosis still spinning in my mind, but it made me even more determined to enjoy it and soak up the atmosphere and I loved it!
I ran it in 4 hours 22 which I was very pleased with, as I’d engaged with the crowd and other runners and took plenty of photos along the way, appreciating every minute of it! I even managed a last-minute fundraiser and raised nearly £3,000 in one week for the Oscars Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity which I was so thrilled with!
Just 3 days after running the marathon, I had my first chemotherapy treatment. I sat there feeling the Dom’s in my legs whilst in the chemo chair. I was anxious about starting chemo but I was still buzzing from the marathon and I took my medal with me! It helped so much!!
It was my mission to book in for another marathon the following year as I loved it so much. However, cancer had another plan for me. It has spread to other parts of my body, and so quickly. I now have stage 4 incurable cancer and I’m back on chemotherapy but permanently. My body has already taken a lot this year and will continue to do so, therefore, I’ve set my sights slightly lower and have booked in for the half marathon this year instead. In doing so, I’ve managed to rally a huge team of friends, family and colleagues to run with me, some of whom have never run a race in their lives before and my wonderful husband is running the race with me which will be his first ever half marathon.
I’ve been deeply touched by the support I’ve received from everyone. Running this half marathon will be the most special run I’ve ever done, with my closest family and friends by my side. I’m determined not to let my health affect my passion for fitness and running…I’ll be doing this as long as physically possible and who knows, maybe I have another full marathon in me.
For anyone thinking of signing up, don’t hesitate. You will not regret it. If I can do it, you can!”
Sarah Thompson and Team Cath
Sarah Thompson from Leeds has been inspired to take part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon by her incredible Auntie Cath Muir.
Cath has been living with MND for the last nine years and despite having no use of her legs, arms, voice, or neck, Cath was pushed around last year’s marathon by Sarah’s parents in an adapted wheelchair.
“My Auntie Cath and Uncle Ian have raised approximately £85,000 for MND over the years and are the most amazing team doing so much for the charity and people around them. From charity dances, walks, and creating artwork through eye gaze, they work so hard and now I hope to join the efforts to help them raise funds for them and all others living with MND.
I’m excited to take part as last year my fashion brand, TOM-O based in Leeds Corn Ex ran a project to support the 2023 marathon and MNDA. We loved supporting the event with our up-cycled banners, but this year it’s my turn to take part!
My auntie is not taking part again in 2024. She may have some more challenges up her sleeve – she always wanted to do a marathon. Now that’s ticked off she’ll be planning something new to do I’m sure.”
Daniel to run the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in memory of his late mother-in-law, Debbie Rhodes
Daniel will be running the marathon in memory of his late mother-in-law, Debbie Rhodes, and to raise much-needed funds for the Yorkshire Brain Tumour Charity.
“After a very short battle with a devastating brain tumour, my mother-in-law Debbie Rhodes unfortunately passed away at the age of 57.
Following Debbie’s shock diagnosis on the 18th July 2023, Debbie fought courageously and even battled through surgery before her heart-breaking death just 7 weeks later on the 3rd September 2023.
I will be aiming to cross the finish line alongside Debbie’s son (Thomas), brother (Justin), daughter-in-law (Natalie), and nephew (Jenson). Unity and togetherness is the only way you can bear the burden of losing someone so special.
Unity and togetherness are something that Debbie taught us all; she was the rock of this incredible family. We are all entering to raise money for the Yorkshire Brain Tumour Charity, a cause to which we have already donated £5,650 from the proceeds that were gifted by the hundreds of people who love Debbie.
She was the most selfless person I’ve ever met, always went above and beyond for anyone in need, and had such a positive impact on everyone’s life. If by doing this, we can help just one person, then we can take comfort in knowing that Debbie’s legacy will live on through us. We will never let the memory of a true angel fade away.”
Run4Haz to take on the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
The Evans family will be taking on this year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon for a very special person – their cousin Harry Evans.
In summer 2023, Harry – aged just 8 at the time – was very sadly diagnosed with a severe brain tumour. Devastating news for all of the family, in particular for Harry, he embarked on a cruel journey to fight this horrible disease. While his school mates continued their studies, Harry started a cycle of 6 weeks of proton therapy and has currently completed two out of four rounds of chemotherapy.
In response to the devastating news, the family knew they wanted to do something to show their support for Harry. Six cousins, aged 18- 21 and one uncle have decided to run the marathon in aid of the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre at the University of Nottingham.
With Harry living in Wakefield with his family, it made sense for the family to run the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, with the hope that Harry can join the family at the finish line
“We are all desperate to try and make a difference in the battle against children’s brain cancer so if you have the chance to donate or share Harry’s story it would be very much appreciated by us all. It was important to our family that all money raised would head to a charity which focuses on research on brain tumours. After searching for one that felt right for us, we came across the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre (CBTRC) at the University of Nottingham.
We felt this was the right charity for us due to it having some family connections, such as it being in the City Harry was born in, as well as it being specific to children’s brain tumours. It’s an incredible cause and we’ve been in contact with the charity and had a lovely response to our upcoming challenge.”
On Wednesday 14th February, it was announced that the group had reached a fantastic milestone: £1000 raised for their chosen charity.
“All of us at Run4Haz wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s donated and supported our cause so far. If you want to donate, head to our JustGiving page. The link is in our Instagram bio. Let’s keep pushing and getting ready for the Leeds Marathon on May 12th.”
To support Harry, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/run4haz
Ben Tranter’s Twenty for Twenty challenge
2024 marks a very significant anniversary for Ben Tranter and his family. It marks twenty years since Kevin Tranter, Ben’s dad, passed away aged 46 from bowel cancer.
To mark the anniversary and in memory of his dad, Ben will be completing twenty challenges this year – one for each year since his passing. The challenges vary and include walking running and cycling. Ben intends to complete all the major running distances, including the Leeds Half Marathon in May and Yorkshire Marathon in October.
“I was 8 years old when Dad passed away and it took me a long time to process his death. I am a stereotypical ‘bury your head in the sand’ type of person so I’ve spent much of my life trying my best to hide from the grief, but I feel slightly more capable of talking about him now, along with the ups and downs I have been through over these last 20 years.”
For Ben, who will be running his first half marathon, the prospect of completing twenty physical challenges across the year is quite daunting. ‘But I am super excited and will give it my all to complete every single one in support of a cause that is very close to my heart.”
Ben will be raising money in support of St Leonard’s Hospice, where his Dad was cared for in his final weeks. St Leonard’s Hospice provides palliative care and ongoing support to families who have suffered the loss of a loved one.
“With my head in the sand, I have always put it off but now it feels like the best opportunity to give something a go, given the significance of time that has gone by, and this is where the idea of ‘Twenty for Twenty’ came from. I thought to myself, why don’t you really challenge yourself this year and complete 20 different challenges for each year since Dad’s passing? What is the worst that can happen?! So here I am, I’m doing it and I can’t wait to raise as much money as possible for a worthy cause.
St Leonard’s has been caring for patients and families for the last thirty-eight years and are a really important part of the care community in York. I know they shared a lot of care and compassion for Dad and my family in the hardest of times, and do so for countless families every single day.
The photo I have shared is one of my favourite photos of Dad and I – Happiness encapsulated in a single moment in time. It was taken in the back garden of the house in Ilkley that I spent the first few years of my life growing up in – I was 3 years old in this photo.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about Twenty for Twenty and thank you, in advance, for any donations you wish to give along the way to help with this cause that is very close to my heart.”
The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, in partnership with Clarion, is taking place on Sunday 12th May, the same day as the Leeds Half Marathon. Entries are still open . Head to runforall.com to sign up.
The Leeds Living team sends wishes for a safe, happy and successful run for everyone.
Main image: Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield with runners and supporters.
