Martyn Cassidy, a man on a mission to complete 50 organised running events in a year to raise funds for Francis House Children’s Hospice, has chosen the Great Manchester Run as event number 46.
As he approaches his 50th birthday on June 28, Martyn will be running in support of the beloved Manchester children’s hospice, donning his bright yellow running vest as he crosses the finish line.
Martyn, a quantity surveyor, wanted to celebrate turning 50 by getting fit and breaking a twenty-year cycle of running just one event a year. His weekly challenges have taken him on a tour of the north-west of England, participating in a combination of 5k Parkruns, 10k runs, half marathons, and part of a marathon relay team.
Originally from Sale, Martyn first took part in the Great Manchester Run in 2005, his first ever running event after being dared by friends and his now-wife Sara. For the next twelve years, he entered the annual event.
“That’s really when my running started at the Great Manchester Run,” said Martyn. “I loved running the route, and it’s a great event for first-timers as the crowds and atmosphere pull you along. There is a really good vibe in the town afterwards with all of the runners and their families and friends.”
Over the course of his ‘50 for 50’ challenge, Martyn will have completed approximately 500km in races and a further 500km in training runs between events. He is hoping to raise £2,000 and is well on his way to achieving his target, having already raised more than £1,800.
Events included in Martyn’s challenge are the Wilmslow 10k, Birkenhead Parkrun, Tatton half marathon, Alton Towers 10k, Liverpool half marathon, and the Trafford 10k.
“Wilmslow Summer 10k was a bit of a special one as I somehow managed to knock over half a minute off my 10k Personal Best (PB),” said Martyn. “I was accompanied, for the first of more than 22 occasions, by my inspirational better half Sara, who also achieved a PB. On the way back to the car, a lady approached us and thanked us for running for Francis House as her child had been there. It certainly put things in perspective.”
Francis House Children’s Hospice supports more than 600 families from across Greater Manchester, providing a range of services including respite care, homecare, sibling support, end of life care, and bereavement support to children and young adults with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
With annual running costs of £4.8 million, approximately £13,150 per day, all services are given completely free, with the majority of funding coming from charitable donations.
“I was already aware of the brilliant work that Francis House does. It just felt like the right choice,” said Martyn. “I went to an open day at the hospice, and it inspired me a lot. The next day, I was running a very muddy and hilly Delamere Forest Trail 10k, and it really pushed me to keep going.”
Martyn has become addicted to running, having obliterated all of his PB’s at every distance. He has also made new friendships in the local running community, just by meeting up at events and chatting with other participants. He has also met people in his local area, which he finds very enjoyable. Martyn hopes he has also inspired a couple of his friends to join in as well, with one colleague at work participating in his first-ever Parkrun with Martyn.
“Before this challenge, running was something that I dabbled with. I wasn’t serious with it and used to find it a bit of a chore, to be honest,” said Martyn. “But now, if I don’t run, I don’t feel right. I’ve been running a 10k every year for the last 18 years, and now aged 49, I’m running two and a half minutes faster than I ever have before.”
For anyone interested in participating in the Great Manchester Run 10k or Half Marathon on May 26 and running in support of Francis House, discounted spots are available, subject to availability. To find out more and register, visit www.francishouse.org.uk/great-manchester-run.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.