12 Marathons in 12 Months: Rich's Challenge

Rich is running the 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon as part of a challenge to mark ten years living with heart failure.

In 2016, he spent four weeks in hospital due to heart failure, barely able to walk 20ft.

"During my time in hospital I decided I needed to turn my life around...Once I had recovered enough, I started running, completing my first Park Run at Roundhay in April of 2017."

This ignited Rich's love of running, which has now seen him complete 9 marathons, including the first and third Rob Burrow Leeds Marathons.

Over the next 12 months, Rich is running 12 marathons; he will be raising money for LGI's Cardiology department, as well as the UK heart failure charity Pumping Marvellous.

"Of course, Leeds being my home marathon means I couldn't not do it again. It's a tough course, but that makes the achievement even more special."

Rich will also be running the Rome marathon in March, as well as Manchester in April, and the Loch Ness marathon in September.