In memory of Sharni Ruming, I will be completing a half-marathon challenge through 2026 - running a half marathon every month. I first met Sharni whilst she was a trainer at F45; she was always fun, friendly and supportive. But she had drive and strongly encouraged people out of their comfort zones. We became good friends and trained together a lot, most memorably during COVID times outside in her building's car park. I am proud to have known her and to call her my friend.

Sharni would have been 33 in October. Sadly she passed away in April 2023, from an extremely rare form of cancer - you can read more on this below. Sharni was an amazing human who took on an insurmountable challenge in the latter stages of her life; she was diagnosed with, and eventually passed of Clear Cell Sarcoma (to read more on this, see Clear Cell Sarcoma).

Sharni worked tirelessly to raise awareness of this extremely rare form of cancer and aligned very closely to the Edward Showler Foundation. She worked closely with Ellie and John at the Foundation and I am continuing that awareness through my challenge.

The Challenge

Each month through 2026, I will run a different half marathon event, with all funds raised going to the Foundation and the great work that they do.

As much as Sharni didn't like running all that much, I know she'd have run a race with me at some point and this challenge will be solely for her and in her memory. The Foundation will then be able to put the funds towards the great work they do in helping others with the same rare cancer.

Events Currently Planned (these are being added to ASAP)

January - Marrakesh Half Marathon (25/01/2026)

February - Hampton Court Half Marathon (15/02/2026)

March - Phoenix Cakeathon Half Marathon (01/03/2026)

April - Putney & Fulham Half Marathon (05/04/2026)

May - Limerick Half Marathon (03/05/2026)

June - TBC

July - TBC

August - TBC

September - The Big Half (06/09/2026)

October - TBC

November - TBC

December - TBC

If you know of races (or people involved in organising races) then please do let me know. Some events are harder to get in than others, particularly those with ballots.

About Sharni Ruming and her illness

Sharni’s story through her illness is quite a long one. I’ve really struggled to narrow this down as there were so many points; some high, some low. Please do read it though as it shows how strong and courageous she was throughout. I also throw in some myself and Sharni specific bits underneath.

The super short version is that she sadly lost her life on 27th April 2023, but I highlight some of her story below.

- Early 2021 - Sharni began to struggle with pain and mobility in her back, which was originally diagnosed as a Bulged Disc & Sciatica. Her daily life became progressively more painful to lead, especially as an active fitness instructor.

- After many doctors and physio appointments, Sharni was asked to see an FCP (First Contact Practitioner) Physiotherapist at her GP, which she thought was a waste of time, just expecting to be given another sciatica diagnosis.

- Some of the symptoms she described (numbness, tingling, pain and bladder incontinence) raised enough red flags for her to be sent to A&E at Chelsea & Westminster hospital, which was a critical point.

- After almost 36hrs, blood tests & MRI’s, Sharni’s life changed forever - She was told that there was an 8cm tumour in her sacrum which was compressing all the nerves running down the left side of her back & leg and appeared malignant. She would now be referred to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore (a specialist hospital for Sarcoma) for further tests.

- In September 2021, after months of various tests and scans, Sharni was diagnosed with Metastatic Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Soft Tissue and Bone. One of the most rare types of Cancer there is, with less than 4 cases in the UK diagnosed each year. Treatment options are therefore extremely limited due to the lack of research done on this type of cancer.

- Her primary tumour forced Sharni’s life and training to turn completely upside down. Overnight, she went from teaching and exercising every day to being virtually bed-ridden and in extreme pain.

- In October 2021, Sharni was accepted onto a screening phase for a clinical trial, which meant 6 weeks of scans, biopsies, blood tests, hospital visits and stays. She discovered that her cancer had spread to her hip bone, which needed large doses of direct radiation. The spread of cancer was bittersweet as it needed to spread to be eligible for the trial.

- In November 2021, Sharni was accepted onto a clinical trial called Immunusarc, which then saw ~18 months of hospital visits/ stays, tumour growth and reductions, ups downs and new challenges.

- Amongst the ups and downs Sharni experienced, she remained optimistic and never gave up hope all hat she would fight it head on! She managed to travel and tick off a host of bucket list items, including:

- Having many of her family visiting from Australia

- Trips to Dubai, Barcelona, Tenerife, Malta, New York, South Africa, Namibia and St Lucia

- Managed to start training and coaching again for a brief period

- Having her Mum and Dad with her for her 30th birthday (again over from Australia)

- Towards the end of 2022 and into 2023, Sharni’s body began to struggle significantly. She needed further radiation and changes in medication to manage her, at times, unbearable pain.

- March 2023 was a critical moment as Sharni’s body was no longer tolerating the treatment. Sadly her treatment had to be cancelled as the tumours were spreading fast. She was given the news that nobody ever wants; a short period of time left, which was devastating for her, and everybody that knew her.

- Sadly on 27th April 2023, Sharni passed away in her sleep, in a hospice. Sharni was an incredible human and an absolute ray of joy and positivity. She was a huge loss for so many people and within the communities she was involved. Sharni’s name, hard work, determination and legacy will live on through challenges like this and through the work of the foundation to continue funding this extremely rare form of cancer.

- Sharni’s Mum and Dad, Leanne and Graham, expressed that without the treatment she had, she wouldn’t have lived as long as she did and therefore get to experience the trips and experiences she did. They miss her everyday.

Sharni’s Side Quests - The Beard Shave

October 2021 - (See the photos) I shaved off my long beard (my absolute pride and joy that most in London had never seen me without) to raise funds for Sharni. This started off as a joke with Sharni when, during some of her very early issues, she joked “what if it’s serious?”. I laughed at her, on the basis that she was young, healthy and in no way would have anything serious - little did we both know. But when she was diagnosed, she asked if I would do it - I had absolutely no hesitation. So we hosted a night with food and drink (thanks Matt McClymont) at the Schoolhouse in Clapham (sadly no longer there), with a fundraiser and a live auction to cut it - we raised over £5000 for Sharni.

Sharni’s Side Quests - The Sharni Throwdown

At the end of October 2021 the inaugural Sharni’s Throwdown was hosted across 4 local gyms (Gymnasium, Redline, F45 and MF). This was another reason to raise both awareness and money for Sharni; this event raised ~£8000. But, more importantly, it set the foundation for continual awareness and it was in the world that Sharni loved and was a part of - the fitness community.

Late 2022 saw the second Sharni’s Throwdown take place, this time with Sharni wanting funds to go to the Edward Showler Foundation, which she aligned herself to and really started to work with John and Ellie, who’d lost their son to the same cancer.

A memorial Sharni Throwdown was held soon after Sharni passed away and it is fully intended for this to continue in 2026.

Links for Reference:

https://www.edwardshowlerfoundation.com

https://sarcoma.org.uk/about-sarcoma/what-is-sarcoma/types-of-sarcoma/clear-cell-sarcoma/

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