Hitchin friends take on 100km run for Macmillan Cancer Support
Ashley Pilsworth and Lawren Ellis are planning to run from London to Brighton to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Picture courtesy of Carla Pilsworth. - Credit: Archant
Two friends are set to take on the challenge of their lives and run 100km – from London to Brighton – to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Ashley Pilsworth and Lawren Ellis, both 38 and from Hitchin, will set off at 6am on Saturday, alongside more than 300 other people, and hope to complete the 62-mile course - usually undertaken on a bicycle - in under 12 hours, with limited stops.
The pair, who have been friends for more than 25 years, have previously completed the London Marathon and have climbed a few mountains – but this will be their biggest physical and mental challenge to date.
They started a strict training regime at the beginning of the year which has seen them taking on training runs three to four times a week, completing 35 miles on their longest training run before tapering down two weeks ago.
Ashley said: “There’s no doubt it’s going to be tough, but we will get through it. It’s just one foot in front of the other.”
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Lawren added: “We are ready. The training and determination will kick in and we will push and pull each other through to the end.”
Both men have witnessed first-hand the support Macmillan can give people facing cancer, and have lost close family and friends to the disease. They have so far raised more than £2,000 for the charity.
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Carla Pilsworth, head of regional fundraising for Macmillan and Ashley’s wife, said: “Macmillan relies on people like Ashley and Lawren raising vital funds and awareness for us.
“When they told me they were doing the challenge and raising money for Macmillan I was so proud. Not only will they achieve something incredible for themselves, but they will help and support so many people at the same time.
“At Macmillan, we know how a cancer diagnosis can affect everything, so we’re here to support those who need us along the way, and help them to take back some control in life. From help with money worries and advice about work, to someone who’ll listen if you just want to talk, Macmillan is here.”
To get behind Ashley and Lawren and demonstrate your support, you can sponsor them by visiting justgiving.com/ashleyandlawren.
For more about Macmillan, visit macmillan.org.uk or call 0808 808 00 00.
