This October I'm running the Oxford Half Marathon in memory of my brother Adam Hunt, who passed away from cancer aged 44 on Tuesday 3rd December 2024.

I've posted some of my own memories of Adam here: https://open.substack.com/pub/laurencehunt/p/remembering-adam

Adam was an amazing brother who had remarkable determination and commitment to many different causes. After he was first diagnosed in 2016, he completed a 5K marathon swim in support of Bowel Cancer UK in 2019. Despite becoming unwell again in 2023, he was hoping to repeat this feat last year, but unfortunately he was unable to do so due to his deteriorating health.

I'm therefore taking my inspiration from Adam, and have set myself the challenge of completing the Oxford Half Marathon this year. This is more than double the longest distance I have ever run before - so I am slightly terrified!

The route will be a very memorable one. It will take me up and down the Marston Ferry Road - which is the route that Adam and I used to take to school together when we both went to Frideswide Middle School/Cherwell. I'll be thinking of Adam particularly as I do this part of the course. It will also take in my current college (St John's), my former college (Wadham), the newly opened Life and Mind Building (where I'm due to give a lecture the morning after the half-marathon...!), and past Grandpa Simon's house in North Oxford.

Thanks for your support.

Laurence x