A Worsley man is set to run an incredible 365km as he takes part in a 365-day marathon.
Approaching his 36th birthday, Connor Robinson had a huge desire to do something positive in his life – and so decided to challenge himself to run 365km in 365 days across 8.5 marathons in Europe to raise money for The Christie Charity.
The initial inspiration for this challenge came from Connor’s best friend Jack Prady.
After Jack’s mum Tracy, who was treated at The Christie Hospital in Manchester, died of bowel cancer in April 2020, Jack set up the TP23 Foundation in memory of her and ran an incredible 252 miles, raising more than £30,000 for The Christie Charity.
Connor felt that he wanted to ‘do his bit’ and help contribute to the fundraising that Jack had done, by doing the same.
He set himself a huge goal of taking on not just one marathon but eight - plus a half-marathon to complete the set.
Having never been a runner, Property Projects Director Connor knew that completing even one marathon would be a challenge for him.
But seeing what his friend Jack had achieved, this spurred Connor on.
He was further inspired just 10 weeks into his 18-week training programme on January 10 this year when Connor’s own dad, Wayne Robinson, was diagnosed with throat cancer.
Read more of our top stories here:
He has started treatment at The Christie hospital, having daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Connor said: “Whilst I am running this challenge in Jack’s mum Tracy’s memory, it is also for every single person who’s ever needed the remarkable services provided by The Christie - especially my dad.
“When starting this challenge, I wanted to take it across Europe and spread the name and awareness of The Christie not just throughout the Northwest but the whole of the UK and beyond!
“There’s probably no other family I have been closer to over the last 15 plus years than the Pradys and I have seen first-hand the immediate and long-lasting impact cancer has on loved ones, but also how much needed and invaluable the treatment and care received by The Christie was.”
Connor’s friends and family will be following his journey and supporting him along the way and Jack has even vowed to run every marathon with him.
Their first marathon will be on Sunday, March 10 in Barcelona and Connor will be documenting their journey on Instagram - @letsrunwithconnor
Connor has raised £3,253 to date, which is 90 per cent of the initial target of £3,600.
To contribute to Connor’s fundraising, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/letsrunwithconnor
Connor’s eight marathons will take place in Barcelona, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Chester, Dublin, Athens, Valencia with the final half marathon TBC.
Alicia Gaffey, Sporting Events Coordinator at The Christie Charity, said: “We’re so grateful to Connor taking on this amazing fundraising challenge. It’s wonderful that his friend Jack will be supporting him every step of the way and we wish them both the very best of luck and thank them for their amazing fundraising efforts.”
To support the work of The Christie Charity, donate at christie.nhs.uk or ring 0161 446 3988.
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here