I, Louise am attempting to run round the Great Eastern Half Marathon on Sunday 13th October. I have had breathing difficulties, shortness of breath for some time now (cough long covid, maybe, who knows!) but it’s gradually easing this year with the help of a fabulous herbalist….a lot of patience and support ❤️

This half marathon will nonetheless be quite a challenge for me. Most Sunday’s since July, I have been running, starting at four miles and working my gradually up to 13 miles a couple of weeks ago. Park Run has also been such a key event in my week over the last couple of years….both in terms of running, volunteering and catching up with people ❤️

One such person is my good friend (Samantha) who this year has experienced the horror of breast cancer, battling her way through 5 rounds of chemotherapy, a recent operation (56 stitches!) and now the prospect of 3-weeks of radiotherapy……the absolute will and determination to beat this, evident every time I see her - including our own ParkRuns during chemo (as pictured) - cancer doesn’t get to steal a sprint finish for anyone now!

I have no goals for my half marathon time - just completing 13 miles will be goal enough but if you’d like to donate to a worthy cause (breast cancer now) your kind contributions will carry me along the streets of Peterborough on 13th October - for which I and Samantha, as well as countless others affected by breast cancer will be hugely grateful ❤️