Paula Runs Leeds Marathon in Memory of Husband David

Paula is running the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon this May in memory of her husband David Solomon, who she lost to MND in 2018.

It was Christmas of 2014 when David first started showing signs of MND. He noticed that his arm was constantly twitching, and realised that he had begun to lose his grip when he couldn't use pegs to hand the washing out.

He started having tests, and was eventually diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease on the 6th October, 2015.

"At that moment, our world fell apart. If I couldn't see David, I went into panic mode - it felt like he had died that day."

Paula spoke to a counsellor about the diagnosis, who reassured her that what she was feeling was very common; she was grieving the life that she had planned with David.

From that day on, Paula and David decided that they would make the most of every day and, after telling their friends and family the news, took a trip to Australia, and got married when they came back home.

The two began to support the MND Association by speaking at conferences, and doing multiple TV and radio interviews, being featured as part of their Global MND Awareness month in June 2017.

"We also did lots of fundraising, anything to spread awareness and raise money in the hope to find a cure. We needed hope."

The two ran multiple races together, such as the Northampton Half Marathon and the Manchester Marathon while David's condition progressed, and he continued to support Paula in her fundraising efforts when he was no longer to take part.

When David died in February of 2018, Paula wanted to continue his legacy by fundraising and spreading awareness.

"It was my goal to work for the MND Association to help make a difference - a dream that was realised in December 2019."

Pauls took part in the very first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, completing the course in 5 hours and 15 minutes:

"I found it tough both emotionally and physically."

She also found herself lucky enough to attend the 2025 race as part of the staff team from the MND Association.

"I was so inspired by the stories that I heard, the hugs, the tears, and the emotion of the day, I just had to be part of it again in 2026."

Paula is now looking forward to running the next Leeds Marathon with David in her thoughts.

"I am sure it will be tough, but nowhere as near as tough as it is living with MND."