Rory Runs The London Marathon

Best laid plans ...

After losing my brother Patrick in 2009, The Patrick Evans Foundation was born to raise money in his memory and ensure that some positive could come from such a tragic situation. Our Foundation was set up to help those suffering from illness or disease, to help those dealing with bereavement or loss, to create healthy sporting opportunities for young people and promote the awareness of safety in sport. Thousands of pounds have been raised and I take great comfort in the fact that Patrick continues to influence the lives of so many. Training together is something Patrick and I used to do often, physical exercise is a great healer and it has certainly been great therapy for me over the years.

Ella has signed me up for a London Marathon ballot place every year since, finally in 2022 I got through, training began in earnest only to come to an abrupt stop due to excruciating knee pain. Following an MRI it turns out I had a tear in my meniscus, a big problem with the cartilage on the inner side of my knee and lots of extra fluid resulting in me deferring my place to this year’s event. Training was going well and I was confident until at 18 miles in January my right Achilles started to give me some pain. This went from bad to worst and I was struggling to get up the stairs. An ultrasound on 12th March revealed that I had serve inflammation around the tendon, not ideal the month before the marathon. The doctors believe that both injury’s are likely due to my Ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis which I suffer with. An expensive and intensive course of medical treatment, physio, ice immersions and run walking began and on 31st March I managed to complete 20 miles!

This year marks 15 years since losing my brother, my hero. So I am determined to drag myself over that finishing line proving one of my values I try and live life by, you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it!

I won’t be able to do it without you though, I am amazingly fortunate to have the support of such a large, loving, encouraging group of family and friends, of which you are part! Ella and the gang will be getting together a supporter’s route so you can encourage me around from as many locations as possible. If you haven’t done it before it’s a great day out, you can relax enjoy the sunshine (hopefully), soak up the atmosphere and grab a few cans as you cheer on the masses.

See you on Sunday 21st April!!