Dan Comes Back for Rematch with Leeds Marathon Course in Memory of Dad

Dan is returning to the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May to raise money for the MND Association in memory of his dad Peter, who sadly passed away from Motor Neurone Disease.

"I wanted to honour both his memory and try to support families struggling with the condition."

Having only taken up running in the autumn of 2023, Dan was inspired by the fundraising efforts of Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield, and decided to run the Leeds Marathon the following spring in 2024.

But he is coming back for a rematch...

"I finished last time, but I left some of my knee and my soul up in the hills outside Leeds. I am coming to get them back and show the course who is boss."

Dan is once again raising money for the MNDA after they support his family throughout his family's battle with the disease.

"The MNDA is a wonderful charity. They offer so much practical help for families struggling with the disease. They helped my family a great deal. The challenges are difficult to navigate, but they are always on hand to offer support and advice."

Dan's father Peter passed away at the age of 62, so Dan has vowed to run a couple of marathons a year until he reaches the same age, taking him up to 24 marathons - only 22 to go!

"My dad would think that all this running was preposterous. Mind you, so do I! He was, however, a generous man who helped his friends when they needed it. He could be a tough man. However, I remember us in a supermarket as a kid, him paying for an elderly woman's shopping who was short of cash. I think of that when I am out on my own, struggling on a long run. If you can help, you should."

Dan will be running all of his races with an MNDA vest which reads his dad's name: "That way they cheer him on rather than me. Last time I ran it, the cheers for Peter were what got me over the line."

He also encourages people of all ages to pick up running, having only started at the age of 49.

"Whilst there is breath left in my body, I will continue to raise money for a great cause."