Tim Runs Rob Burrow Marathon in Memory of Dad who Died from MND

Tim is running the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon next May in memory of his dad, who unfortunately passed away from Motor Neurone Disease in 2024.

It was in the late summer of 2022 when he started experiencing symptoms at the age of 72, a retired farmer who had just finished building a house for his retirement. His speech and swallowing had started to become difficult, though the family didn't think much of it at the time.

"...In my mind, he was still pretty invincible..."

Thus began the long process of attempting to diagnose his symptoms, which are often easily confused with other things in cases of MND. It was the spring of 2023 when he was eventually diagnosed with Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP), a form of MND which affects the facial and tongue muscles. His speech and swallowing had deteriorated further at this time, but was luckily able to visit Tim's brother Nick in New Zealand.

It was that autumn when Tim decided to do some fundraising for the MND Association. Already being a seasoned runner, he set himself the challenge of running 232 miles across various events, including a 100 mile ultramarathon in Cornwall in January of 2024, followed by the East Devon Round in May, and finishing the challenge at the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon the following week.

"Dad's health was declining rapidly at this stage, but my hope was that Dad would be fit enough to be driven to various bites of the East Devon Round to see the race."

However, it wasn't to be. Tim's dad unfortunately passed away only a week before the run - but he didn't let that stop him.

"He would have wanted me to continue my challenge, so I did."

He finished for East Devon Round, a 110km ultramarathon, in 19 hours, followed by the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon only the next weekend in 4 hours and 45 minutes.

"This was an amazing experience for me, seeing so many people running for a great cause, sharing their experiences, emotions, losses - something at the time that was very raw for me, but incredibly important."

So, Tim is returning once again to take part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in memory of his dad - and you too can join him in the race in May by registering for the event below.