A FITNESS fanatic who swore never to run the London Marathon again is getting ready to head to the start line once more.
Mark Simpson will be taking on the 26.2-mile course on April 27 in memory of his brother-in-law’s father, Giff Ashton who died from a cancerous brain tumour in 2023.
The Solihull resident will be completing the challenge in support of Brain Tumour Research, which aims to help find a cure for all types of brain tumours and create a network of Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.
The 43-year-old said: “After running the London Marathon in 2014, I swore I’d never do it again because it completely destroyed me.
“But that changed when Giff, my brother-in-law Paul’s father and a true role model to me, passed away.
“I always admired his dedication to his family – he spoke so highly of his wife, Carol, his sons, and his grandchildren.
“That’s the kind of person I aspire to be with my own children. He was such a warm and welcoming man, always showing genuine interest in our family and whatever we were up to. His diagnosis was a huge shock, and his passing had a profound effect on all of us.”
Giff, a former sheet metal worker which he started at 16, had trouble lifting the front of his foot, which led to further leg problems.
An MRI discovered a mass in his brain which was later diagnosed as a glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain tumour.
Giff underwent surgery at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to remove the tumour, but doctors gave him a prognosis of just three to nine months.
Mark has been putting in the hard work to prepare for the upcoming marathon, building both his physical endurance and mental resilience.
He’s been leveraging the connections he’s made through the charity to stay motivated and push himself to beat his previous time.
His wife, Amy, and sons, Elijah and Daniel, are looking forward to meeting him at the finish line.
Mark said: “Although it’s been 11 years since I last ran a marathon, I remember how it mentally crushed me last time, and I didn’t run for a whole year afterwards.
“Back then, I was younger and naive about the challenge.
“Now, I have a stronger mindset and the motivation to complete this one in Giff’s memory.
“Being part of the Brain Tumour Research WhatsApp group has been amazing for sharing tips and supporting each other. Lee, one of the running coaches, helped me create a solid training plan, so I feel ready to beat my previous time and raise funds for this important cause.
“If Giff were here to see it, I’m sure he’d be chuffed with what I’m doing, and it would probably bring a tear to his eye.”
Giff’s brain tumour, a glioblastoma, is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumour in adults, with a devastating survival time of just 12 to 18 months.
There are more than 100 different types of brain tumour, making them notoriously difficult to treat effectively.
Carol Robertson, national events manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Mark’s commitment to running the London Marathon in memory of Giff is truly inspiring. It’s incredibly moving to see people like him, who are personally impacted by the devastating effects of brain tumours, take action to raise both awareness and vital funds for research. Every step Mark takes brings us closer to the day when we can find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for this cruel disease. We look forward to cheering him on at the race.”
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