I hate running, but I hate Crohn’s disease more.

I am not an unfit person by any means and if you know me you’ll know I try to live an active life. However, I cannot run for the life of me and if you know me, you’ll also know that where I can avoid running in any gym classes, I will! Therefore, running a half marathon is going to be a challenge but nowhere near the challenge people who have Crohns (and Colitis) face everyday.

My dad has had Crohns disease since I can remember. One of my earliest memories from when I was young is visiting my dad in intensive care after his first major operation to remove some of his bowel. Since then, he has had countless procedures and three other major operations with two of those been in the last 3 months. At the date of writing this, my dad has been in hospital for over 16 weeks with no end date on when he will be home. His latest operation just over 3 weeks ago was for a stoma. These past few months have been some of the toughest we have had as a family but my dad has been amazing throughout!

What has become apparent is the lack of knowledge around Crohns across the medical profession in comparison to other illnesses. Treatment options can be limited.

Therefore, I am taking on the small challenge of running a half marathon and raising money for Crohns & Colitis to make the huge challenge which my dad and other individuals who have those illnesses face easier.

Note: this will likely be one of the slowest half marathon times you’ve ever seen!!

Crohn's & Colitis UK are the UK's leading charity for Crohn's and Colitis. Right now, over 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. I am taking part in the 2026 Royal Parks Half Marathon to support Crohn's & Colitis UK, and your donation can help Crohn's & Colitis UK's mission to improve diagnosis and treatment; to fund research and raise awareness.