Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a range of genetic conditions. They cause the gradual weakening of muscles often beginning in localised groups of muscles and then progressing into the heart or muscles involved in breathing. This leads to increasing levels of disability.

In the UK alone, around 70,000 people have MD or a related condition. The most common MD condition is Duchenne MD. In the UK alone, 100 boys are born each year with Duchenne and it is suspected that 2,500 people live with the condition at any one time. Myotonic MD (the second most common type) affects around 1 person in every 8,000 and Facioscapulohumeral MD is thought to affect around 1 in every 20,000 people in the UK, making it the third most common MD.

There's currently no cure for MD, there is only treatment to help manage many of the symptoms.

Muscular Dystrophy UK are working to develop cures for MD. I found it fascinating to read about the work of Professor Popplewell (in conjunction with her student) on Becker muscular dystrophy. Her new therapy is being developed with the prospects of correcting mutations (in people with Becker MD) within the gene coding for dystrophin proteins. These rod-shaped proteins help to stabilise and protect muscles fibres whilst also playing a crucial role in chemical signalling in primarily cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues. Ensuring the correct functioning of these proteins will delay the progression of MD and prevent the early occurrence of heart complications.

However, research projects like these can only take place with sufficient funding. That's why I have chosen to run this 10k for Muscular Dystrophy UK and raise money to fund their life-changing research.