Melanie to run the Leeds Half Marathon

Meet Melanie, one of our inspirational runners who will be running the Leeds Half Marathon later this year.

Melanie has stage four incurable triple negative breast cancer.  

Melanie’s running journey began last year when she signed up for her very first marathon, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. Young, fit, and healthy, it was just one week before she was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer.  Determined to still run the marathon and after speaking with her oncologist, Melanie was advised that she could still run the marathon providing that she started a very tough chemotherapy regime just three days later.

Fast forward a year, Melanie is back on chemotherapy but unfortunately permanently from Leeds, has stage four incurable triple negative breast cancer. 

Determined to keep up the running, Melanie will be running the Leeds Half Marathon with her colleagues at Rucklidge Law to show that anything is possible, even with a life-limiting disease. We caught up with Melanie to find out more about her running journey and why running the Leeds Half Marathon this year means so much. 

"Hi, I’m Melanie Hartley. I’m 40 years old and I have stage 4 incurable triple-negative breast cancer. I’m running the half marathon in May and I’m not letting my cancer diagnosis stop me! 

"In May 2023, I was diagnosed with this very aggressive form of breast cancer. It came as a big shock. I was fit and healthy, I exercised and ate well and was only 39 years old. I’d also been training for the Rob Burrows Leeds marathon that year so I was literally at the peak of my fitness. 

"My diagnosis came only a week before I was due to run the Leeds Marathon. This was my first ever marathon and I’d trained so hard for it. My oncologist, being really into running and fitness, was very happy for me to still run the marathon provided I started a tough chemotherapy regime just 3 days afterwards. So I did. I ran that difficult hilly marathon on such a hot day with my new diagnosis still spinning in my mind but it made me even more determined to enjoy it and soak up the atmosphere and I loved it! 

"I ran it in 4 hours 22 which I was very pleased with as I’d engaged with the crowd, and other runners and took plenty of photos along the way, appreciating every minute of it! I even managed a last-minute fundraiser and raised nearly £3,000 in one week for the Oscars Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity which I was so thrilled with!" 

"Just 3 days after running the marathon, I had my first chemotherapy treatment. I sat there feeling the Dom’s in my legs whilst in the chemo chair. I was anxious about starting chemo but I was still buzzing from the marathon and I took my medal with me! It helped so much!! 

"It was my mission to book in for another marathon the following year as I loved it so much. However, cancer had another plan for me. It has spread to other parts of my body, and so quickly. I now have stage 4 incurable cancer and I’m back on chemotherapy but permanently. My body has already taken a lot this year and will continue to do so, therefore, I’ve set my sights slightly lower and have booked in for the half marathon this year instead. In doing so, I’ve managed to rally a huge team of friends, family, and colleagues to run with me! Some of whom have never ran a race in their lives before and my wonderful husband is running the race with me which will be his first ever half marathon.

"I’ve been deeply touched by the support I’ve received from everyone. Running this half marathon will be the most special run I’ve ever done, with my closest family and friends by my side. I’m determined not to let my health affect my passion for fitness and running…I’ll be doing this as long as I’m physically possible and who knows, maybe I have another full marathon in me 😉

"For anyone thinking of signing up, don’t hesitate, you will not regret it. If I can do it, you can!"

Good luck Melanie, we can't wait to cheer you on at the finish line! 

The Leeds Half Marathon is set to take place on Sunday 12th May and will be taking place on the same day as the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. To find out more and to sign up, click here