Izzy Hunter was diagnosed with scoliosis at 12 and after spinal fusion in 2015 was determined to do her bit for the Scoliosis Support & Research charity. Her New Year's resolution was to run her first event in 2025, her local 10k, so why not tick off both goals at the same time. She did this in style by running an uphill event in 30 degree heat in June and raised a whopping £1655. Well done Izzy! Have a listen and be inspired.

If you'd like to follow in Izzy's footsteps and run your next event for Scoliosis Support & Research, email Will fundraising@ssr.org.uk. Thank you.

To find out more about scoliosis head to https://ssr.org.uk

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have 3 channels, one on training & fundraising support, another on runner stories and a third for members only. If you'd to be the focus on one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

PODCAST NOTES

Keywords

running, fundraising, scoliosis, 10K, personal journey, health, motivation, social media, race day, community support

Summary

In this episode, Tim Rogers interviews Izzy Hunter, who shares her inspiring journey of starting to run during lockdown and her motivation to complete a 10K race. Izzy discusses her training experiences, the challenges she faced, including her battle with scoliosis and the impact of her spinal surgery. She also highlights her fundraising efforts for Scoliosis Support and Research, the role of social media in her journey, and the emotional experience of race day. Izzy reflects on her achievements and looks forward to future running goals, including a half marathon.

Takeaways

Izzy started running during lockdown to get fit. She completed her first 5K on a treadmill. The 10K was significant as it marked 10 years since her spinal surgery. Izzy faced challenges with the heat during the race. She felt motivated to run again after her first race experience. Choosing the right running shoes was crucial for her training. Her surgery allowed her to engage in physical activities without issues. Izzy raised £1,655 for Scoliosis Support and Research. The experience of crossing the finish line was overwhelming. Completing a New Year's resolution was a personal achievement for Izzy.

Titles

Running Against the Odds: Izzy's Journey From Lockdown to 10K: Izzy's Story

Sound bites

"I started running during lockdown." "I did my first 5K on a treadmill." "It was overwhelming in a really good way."

Chapters

00:00 Izzy's Running Journey Begins 03:09 Training Solo and Overcoming Challenges 06:10 Choosing the Right Gear for Running 09:41 Scoliosis and the Impact of Surgery 12:16 Fundraising for a Cause 16:21 The Role of Social Media in Fundraising 18:02 Harnessing Social Media for Fundraising 20:37 Race Weekend Preparations 22:01 The Race Experience: Heat and Support 24:34 Crossing the Finish Line: Emotions and Achievements 26:39 Looking Ahead: Future Running Goals

10 years after losing his son Mark is still running and still fundraising. He has just completed the 150km West Highland Way, an epic ultra, with breathtaking scenery and for this race alone he raised over £9000 and £27,000 across all his events! Listen to his account of this gruelling event and how he managed to battle to the finish line.

If you'd like to support Mark here's his fundraising page

This is the charity that he is supporting sands.org.uk

For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have four channels, one on training support, another on fundraising, a third on runner stories and a fourth on events. If you'd to be the focus on one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

PODCAST NOTES

Keywords

running, fundraising, West Highland Way Race, marathon, endurance, charity, community support, recovery, training, personal journey

Summary

In this episode, Tim Rogers interviews Mark Doris, who shares his inspiring journey of running and fundraising for the charity Sands in memory of his stillborn son. Mark recounts his experience in the challenging West Highland Way Race, discussing the physical and mental hurdles he faced, including extreme heat and fatigue. He reflects on the importance of community support in his fundraising efforts, which raised over £9,000, and shares his plans for future races, including the London Marathon. Mark emphasises the significance of raising awareness for baby loss and the impact of his journey on others.

Takeaways

Mark has been running seriously for 10 years to fundraise for Sands. The West Highland Way Race had a high dropout rate due to heat and fatigue. Mark lost over 14 litres of fluid during the race. He faced challenges with appetite and fuelling in the heat. Community support played a crucial role in his fundraising success. Mark raised over £9,000 for Sands, totalling nearly £27,000 over 10 years. He plans to organise a local ribbon run for Baby Loss Awareness Week. Mark's recovery was surprisingly quick after the race. He aims to complete the London Marathon in under 3 hours 30 minutes. Mark emphasises the importance of raising awareness for baby loss.

Titles

Running for a Cause: Mark's Inspiring Journey The Trials of the West Highland Way Race

Sound bites

"I was literally sleeping on my feet." "I raised over £9,000 this time." "The shy children don't get sweets."

Chapters

00:00 Mark's Journey into Running and Fundraising 02:19 The Challenge of the West Highland Way Race 08:33 Navigating the Race: Strategies and Struggles 10:45 Crossing the Finish Line: A Hard-Earned Victory 12:03 Fundraising Success and Community Support 17:14 Recovery and Future Aspirations 21:44 Planning for the London Marathon and Beyond

Mary Keane from Edinburgh first signed up to run the London Marathon for the BackCare charity in 2019. First Covid and then a number of injuries have prevented her from doing so. Now she is back and raring to go in the 2026 event. Follow her progress as she trains and fundraises for this very deserving charity. More episodes to come soon.

You can support Mary by making a donation on her fundraising page here

If you'd like to follow in Mary footsteps and run your next event for Backcare, email Denice denice.loganrose@backcare.org.uk. She'd love to hear from you.

To find out more about Backcare head to https://backcare.org.uk

For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have four channels, one on training support, another on fundraising, a third on runner stories and a fourth on events. If you'd to be the focus on one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

PODCAST NOTES

• Mary has been rolling over her charity place for the London Marathon for several years due to injuries.
• She chose Back Care UK as her charity because of her personal experiences with back pain.
• Mary is currently training to run consistently 5k and is signed up for the Great North Run.
• The importance of gradually increasing mileage in training to avoid injuries is emphasized.
• Edinburgh offers a variety of terrains for training, which helps keep running fresh and engaging.
• Mary has participated in international races, which provide motivation and a change of scenery.
• Fundraising can be enhanced through community events like pub quizzes and raffles.
• Early planning for fundraising is crucial to avoid competition with other events later in the year.
• Personal connections to the cause can significantly boost fundraising efforts.
• Mary is optimistic about regaining her enjoyment of running and achieving her marathon goal.

• "It's nice to mix it up"
• "It's about giving back"
• "You will get that runner's high again"