My Story

Now Complete.

Without the greatest support team ever I would have not got through this 18 month experience. Lucy, Eva, Lauren, Fleur I love you 😍. 

I finally ran my lap of honour marathon in London April 23rd 2023. It had been a real struggle to get my fitness back after my car crash but I made it around the 26.2 miles in 3hr 15min. Wow there was no bounce left after after 16 miles.

 I have been so proud and fortunate to have raised money for Make A Wish and want thanks everyone for their huge generosity.

Old News. I completed my 52nd Marathon today, 4th October 2022, 52 weeks after I started my challenge.

I broke my sternum in a serious car crash 22nd September 2021 only a day before I was due to complete my 52nd. My Fairytale immediately turned into a nightmare. Over the next 12 days I went through a lot of pain, breathing issues and terrible anxiety about the fact that I had spent and entire year doing this challenge, just for it to be taken away from me in the last few days. The only way I was going to recover was to complete the challenge so that's was I did, with the help of Lucy my wife and Eva my eldest daughter who accompanied during my final long and painful marathon.

In October 2021 I decided I wanted to try 52 marathons in 52 weeks, with the 52nd Marathon at London Marathon. So, I went for a run, and completed the marathon distance. I must admit I didn't particularly enjoy it and had a really long think about the challenge I had set myself. Then I continued each week to run a marathon.

It has taken me until today, 24th March, a day after my 50th Birthday to finally commit to 52 and raising for Make a Wish as I have had some up and downs, with Covid, painful legs, blisters, back seizures and let's not discuss toenails. I have now run 52 Marathons and each marathon is different (good, bad and ugly) but I will succeed.

Why did I decide to choose Make a Wish UK?

I have three healthy daughters and I wanted to raise money to give other children that are either critically ill or their siblings a chance to experience a wish and joy in their lives. 

Make-A-Wish UK creates life-changing wishes that revive the childhood that critical illness takes away, bringing light and joy at the darkest of times for a child and their loved ones. But right now, there are 60,000 children in the UK living with a critical condition, and they don't have the resources to be that light for everyone. Your generous support will help them step closer to achieving their vision: to grant a wish to every eligible child. Together, we have the power to light up the darkness.

I would be extremely grateful if you could donate towards my challenge and Make a Wish UK.

Thanks

Justin ('Twyford' Marathon Man) Malin