Miles, Mountains and Mind Over Matter

Two runners. Two marathons. Two causes close to the heart.

This is a story of perseverance, compassion, and faith in action — a shared journey shaped by different challenges, but united by the values they carry in every stride: courage, community, and hope.

For one runner, everything changed on 4 December 2023: Progressive. Degenerative. Incurable. Three words no one wants to hear — but ones he met with resolve. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease before turning 50, he didn’t retreat. He ran. For his health, for a cure, and for others walking the same path. Crossing the finish line of the 2024 London Marathon in blistering heat and raising over £22,500 for Cure Parkinson’s, he proved that strength is not just physical — it’s spiritual. It’s communal. It’s deeply human.

And now, another runner prepares for their own test of endurance — the 2025 Edinburgh Marathon — with the children of Palestine in their heart. Behind devastating headlines lie real children: traumatised, displaced, and disabled by conflict. Running for Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability and the Crèche orphanage — the very place they were once lovingly cared for as a baby — this runner returns the gift they once received. Their miles are for those who cannot run, for children who deserve healing, dignity, and peace.

Though their paths differ, these two runners move in step — driven by a deeper compass. Ampleforth’s Benedictine values have guided both: resilience in adversity, hospitality without borders, attentiveness to those most in need. They remind us that it’s not just about finishing the race — it’s about why we start, and who we carry with us along the way.

These are not just marathons. They are missions. Not just fundraisers, but acts of hope. Not just runners, but witnesses to the power of compassion in motion.

Every mile matters. Every story inspires. Every step forward brings light into the lives of others. And that, truly, is something worth running for.