Shane and Myself (Mark) completed the Vienna marathon on the 6th April 2025 and will also be running the Amsterdam marathon on the 19th October to raise money and more importantly to raise awareness to the great work that the YMCA deliver to their local communities.

We both met at the YMCA centre over a simple conversation about health, nutrition and fitness and found out that we had a military connection as Shane had been in the British Army whilst I was still a serving Royal Marines commando.

Shane has worked at the Eastleigh YMCA Centre since 2022 and I started the running club around the same time to help anybody who wanted a bit of encouragement to walk/jog or run outdoors. We run every Monday at 1830 hrs and all abilities are welcome!

Shane’s Story

Shane suffers from Kidney stones and whilst having a scan in March 2024 a Cyst was found around his left kidney. The size of the cyst has grown over the years and is now the size of the kidney itself, making an operation critical.

The personal strain on Shane and his family (Bev, Luke and Harrison) has taken its toll over the years and in summer 2024 this came to a head as over the years Shane had dangerously put on weight, that could have an impact on his upcoming operation.

With the guidance from myself and following a simple nutrition and fitness plan (including the Monday night running club), Shane has showed a massive improvements in both health and mental wellbeing. From June to November 2024 Shane has lost an incredible 4 Stone in weight. Shane completed his first 10km event (Utilita bowl 10km) in October 2024 and has now completed his first marathon in 4 hours 19 minutes (Vienna marathon on Sunday 6th April 2025) which is an outstanding achievement.

That’s one marathon down and one to go. We’re both looking forward to the Amsterdam marathon on the 19th October 2025 and let’s see if we can get a sub 4 hrs 🙏🙏

Please contact Shane directly if you’re interested in his nutrition and fitness journey via instagram: bobababbage

YMCA Fairthorne Group (YMCA FG):

Is a charity that supports children, young people, and families to live happy, healthy lives through Nurseries, Community Centres & providing homes in Hampshire for young people, aged 16-30 years, who through circumstances find themselves at risk of homelessness.

In addition, every year over 1,200 young carers from all over the UK come together at YMCA Fairthorne Manor to have the chance to be their age, have fun & respite from caring, plus make friends with other young carers who understand their situation.