<div>Going into 2026, I wanted to set sail on a new challenge and, unfortunately (or fortunately depending how you look at it!), I decided: why not a marathon?
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<div>As a naïve 22-year-old, I genuinely thought, piece of cake. I play football most Saturdays and have done my whole life, surely that was comparable?
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<div>Oh, how wrong I was.
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<div>After doing some proper research (and getting a much needed reality check from a friend at work), I was quickly brought back down to earth. I realised this would take a serious training plan, structure and commitment. Together, we set some targeted goals:
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<div>Rob Burrow Foundation – Leeds Half Marathon on 10th May 2026
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<div>Jane Tomlinson's Run For All - York Full Marathon on 18th October 2026
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<div>My training has already begun for both.
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<div>While completing a half and full marathon would be a huge personal achievement, especially having never done anything like this before, there is something far bigger than personal ambition that I want to train and run for.
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<div>Like most people these days, I was doom-scrolling TikTok when I came across a video that completely stopped me in my tracks. Video linked here: <a href="https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nbC4Cj2X0cl94O8SWfmImHW8n?domain=vm.tiktok.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nbC4Cj2X0cl94O8SWfmImHW8n?domain=vm.tiktok.com/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nbC4Cj2X0cl94O8SWfmImHW8n?domain=vm.tiktok.com/</a></a>
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<div>The video shows a middle-aged couple at what looks like a family gathering. The man, who has Alzheimer’s, is laughing and smiling, while his wife sits beside him with her arm wrapped around him. They look happy. Comfortable. In love.
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<div>Suddenly, the video cuts to their wedding day — young, full of life, and ready to build a future together.
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<div>That moment hit me hard.
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<div>I immediately thought about my girlfriend. About how I would feel trying to cope with the reality of her slowly forgetting our memories, our relationship… even who she is. Then I thought about my mum, my nana, all my family members and wondering how I could possibly cope with the reality of them not knowing me anymore. I couldn’t comprehend that level of loss — not just for the person with Alzheimer’s, but for everyone who loves them.
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<div>I am lucky enough to have never experienced this in my family or with friends. 
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<div>As you will see in my picture attached on this page, from 14 years ago, I'm sat down with an orange helmet on next to my brother, with my Nana. I've probably just said something horrible to my brother and my nana is telling me off (and yes she still does this from time to time!). I wouldn't have it any other way. I never want even the negative moments stolen from me and everyone I love, that's what makes us people, that's what makes us family. Alzheimer's steals that from us.
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<div>There are currently around<strong> 55 million </strong>people worldwide living with dementia, the majority of whom have Alzheimer’s disease. That number is expected to rise to <strong>78 million by 2030</strong> and up to<strong> 152 million by 2050.</strong>
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<div>Someone develops dementia <strong>every 3 seconds.</strong>
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<div>In 2024, dementia was the leading cause of death in the UK.
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<div>From that video, I knew I had to do something. I knew I had to run for this cause, for people like the couple in that video and for the millions of families living this reality every day.
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<div>Those rising numbers need to stop.
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<div>This disease needs to stop.
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<div>That’s why I’m running.
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Julie Fellows

Donna Wall

Neil Fursey

Mark Armitage

Stephen Cowling

Garry Curtis

Tom Barker

Shirley Jakeman

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Simon Kerr

Janet Priestley

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Anonymous

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