20 Twenty-sixes in 2026

Motor Neurone Disease and Cancer are devastating diseases that have affected people we love. My mam, Pauline, passed away from MND in October 2006, only ten months after being diagnosed, and Mike has finished treatment and continues to be monitored after being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2022. Cancer has also affected, and still impacts, many others we know and love.

MND is a neurodegenerative disease which attacks the nerves and leads to the wasting of the muscles, leaving those affected unable to walk, talk, eat and ultimately breathe. It usually progresses rapidly, and currently there is no effective treatment or cure. A third of people with MND die within a year, and over half within two years of diagnosis. The MND Association support families affected by this awful disease and fund vital research into effective treatments, ultimately seeking a cure and a world free from MND.

Cancer takes many forms. Nearly 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. Medical research, such as that funded by Cancer Research UK, is developing more effective and kinder treatments, allowing more people to live full lives. While it's still early days, the latest research suggests the new immunotherapy treatment Mike received will significantly increase his chances of being cured.

In October 2026, it will be 20 years since Mam died, and I wanted to mark the year with a big challenge. Mike came up with the ‘20 twenty-sixes in 2026’ idea, thinking I’d laugh it away … but it’s grown, and so in 2026 I will be running 20 marathons in memory of my wonderful mam. Every step I take will be a step taken for those who can’t run themselves.

I'll add to this list as I book more, but the marathons so far are:

January 11th: WTF? (Where's the Finish?) Marathon
January 17th: Windmill Way Wander Marathon
February 8th: Run for Cake Marathon
February 14th: Valentine's Day Marathon
February 15th: Marriott's Way Marathon
March 31st – April 7th: 7 in 7 Series, World Maps. 7 marathons in 7 days – yikes!
May 10th: Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
June 7th: Valley of the Owls Marathon
June 28th: Salcey Trailfest
October 18th (Mam’s birthday): Yorkshire Marathon
October 24th: Marathon Eryri (Snowdonia Marathon)

Mike will be aiming to complete his hundredth half marathon at the Great North Run this year, so he also has a busy year!

January 17th: Windmill Way Wander half marathon
February 8th: Run for Cake half marathon
March 29th: Berlin half marathon (both)
April 12th: Ogwen Valley 25k, Snowdonia
April 19th: Northstowe half marathon
May 10th: Leeds half marathon
June 7th: Valley of the Owls half marahon
September 13th: Great North Run (both)

If you'd like to find out more about either of our charities, you can visit their websites: mndassociation.org and cancerresearchuk.org

Until there’s a cure, there is no finish line. Your support can help bring that finish line closer. We and our charities hugely appreciate every penny you help us raise.