Recently a close friend and Reading Athletics Club Athlete was diagnosed with Cancer. 

This came as a shock to the runners at the club, specifically those in The Rob Squad. The Reading Half Marathon is a frequently contested event and the Club members are often fighting for top place finishes in sub 70 minute times. 

This year is no different and we are desperately disappointed that our best performing male athlete, Dan Thorne, is unable to join us. 

For a number of the Squad it was realising that even someone who we see as routinely invincible and leading our group throughout sub zero training sessions or across the hardest race course can be affected. It was the first time this hit a number of us. 

We acknowledge that competing in a Half Marathon for us can appear not to be the physical test it is for casual runners however we are making this appeal to drive awareness to a horrible disease that affects 2.5million in the UK each year. 

There are many Cancer charities to support and we have chosen Hope which is committed to providing funding for cancer research projects. 

We would be most grateful if all you can do is reflect on those who are affected by Cancer and even share this awareness. 

If you feel able, please do make a small donation of your choice either in person or on our donation page here: 

Best of luck to all those competing in 2017. If you are a runner and looking for added motivation of support please do let us know as we would be delighted to help! 

You can find out more about our training group here: therobsquad.net

The Squad Members who will be running include:

Anna Boniface
Carl Bradbury
David Kirk
Luc Jolly
Tom Jervis 
Ryan O'Brien