Tom Worsley
Tom Worsley: Age of Ultra
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Story
My mum died from cancer when I was nine. I've recently discovered that I feel closest to her when I'm running... so the further I run, the longer I'm with her. That's why this year I ran two ultra marathons, in memory of mum, and to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
An ultra marathon is any distance longer than a regular marathon (26.2 miles). I ran two; the first along the Pembrokeshire coast (28 miles), the second (which I WON!?!) along the Grand Union Canal (31 miles)... 59 miles over two races (more details below), and 1021 miles during 7 months of training (which included 5 marathons). And mum was with me every step of the way.
Thanks to the work of organisations like Cancer Research UK, the chances of surviving cancer have doubled in the last 40 years. But still, more than 1 in 3 of us will develop cancer at some point in our lives. So please donate today, so they can develop newer, kinder treatments, and get closer to cures. I massively appreciate all your incredible, continued support - it really is overwhelming - and thank you for any donations.
In May I ran a 28 mile "trail ultra" along the Pembrokeshire coastline in Wales. It was the hardest thing I've ever done - freezing cold, driving rain, and a wind that whipped the air out of your mouth and threatened to blow us off the cliff! Add to that, huge hills, stairs(!), and worst of all, the mud, which made it impossible to get proper footing - I fell twice, but nothing major, just a cut knee! The last nine miles were the most brutal I've ever experienced. I finished in 4hrs30, and came 13th out of 109 runners.Then came the 50km (31 mile) ultra along the Grand Union Canal in June, which was joyfully flat, and the weather was stunning - a little too hot near the end! It was a long way though, and the last 10km in particular were tough. I finished in 4hrs36, and, rather ridiculously, I finished 1st!! Don't know out of how many runners yet - but obviously delighted, having never won a race in my life!
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Thanks again for your wonderful support. Tom xx