On the 17th May 2026 I’ll be attempting to run the Chester half marathon. I’ve chosen this year to attempt this to help mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Wales Air Ambulance.

Since my own life saving mission back in 2017 they have attended 26,000 more! 🚁

As a self funded emergency charity I can’t stress how vital their service is. This is why I want to do all that I can to continue to support their work.

It’s my honour to be attempting this run on their behalf and for anyone who may be living with chronic, life changing injuries.

I hope my run will be a powerful message of Hope. What’s still possible when you set your mind to it.

To run a half marathon carrying a spinal fusion (hardware still inside) will be a significant accomplishment. It will place me amongst the rare few who have pulled it off.

I hope to demonstrate the huge level of endurance and discipline it requires. It’s this endurance and discipline I’ve had to carry across many, many years. It’s gotten me this far so let’s just take another leap of faith and go that bit further! 😘

Working closely with the charity across the past (almost) nine years we’ve shared many successes together. I already know I’m going to remember this one forever.

Hopefully I’m someone who’s shown that with a positive outlook, plenty of determination (some say stubborn) if you set your mind to it, work hard and never give up, you can do it.

For me, this achievement will be extra significant coming from those early days of having to adapt to walk again.

I would like everyone to view this run as I do, as a huge celebration of coming out the other side.

As I’ve always said “I’m always in pain so I may as well try and make this pain count” ~ ❤️

I continue forward in a much healthier position overcoming my reliance of pain medication. Now completely pain medication free for 5 years. I rely on heat therapy, acupuncture and walking my black Labrador Penny as much as I can.

This run will be an extension of all that training. We can put it to the test on the day!

I know across the entire 13.1 miles I will be thinking of every single person who has aided me, supported me and believed in me.

In advance I dedicate this run to the Wales Air Ambulance as a whole particularly those on board that day: pilot James Benson, Dr Mike Greenway, critical care doctors Kate Humphries & Oliver Ayles - thank you for saving my life.

To my loving family my recovery remains a testimony to you all.

Lastly, to my own character who continues to do her very best to make each step count.

You can guarantee I’ll be giving it my best shot!

Christine Mary Lloyd