This year I will progress to tube feeding into my bowel a huge physical and psychological challenge. I am determined not to be beaten & continue to encourage others to keep doing their thing, the best way they can to LIVE with rare disease.

I intend to run 12 half marathons across 12 months- which will span the before, during & after phase of tube feeding… I hope you can support that challenge too.

This will be in line with Global Marathon Challenges rules.

Manchester Marathon is the second of my 2 challenges for 2026- because one just is not enough!

Here’s my story…

As many will know I am diagnosed with end stage Achalasia, which essentially means the medical and surgical options for managing this rare swallowing disorder are pretty much exhausted. I have a very limited soft diet which is supplemented by prescription nutrition to try & give me the nutrients I cannot swallow and absorb from food. I can’t take the medication or hydration I need.

My oesophagus (food pipe and stomach) neither works to push food down or prevent food, drink and saliva coming up. This means I frequently experience choking and aspiration in the night, leading to chest infections, poor sleep & fatigue. Food & drink just doesn’t go down or stay down! & I bl**dy love food!

Unfortunately my stomach & bowel also fail to function, so I experience malnutrition & dehydration. The tube is not an easy fix, it will be a different way of life, but one I hope to learn & grow from.

I run to keep fit, strong and maintain bone density, to help regulate breathing and lung capacity, to keep routine meet other people & significantly to support my mental health!

I run in races like these to raise awareness & funds for Achalasia Action and to encourage others to give the things they want to do a go & live the best life possible! At some point I may not be able to do stuff, so I’ll do it while I can!

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