At age 70, Mike Barnes turned personal tragedy into triumph by completing the London Marathon, raising over £25,000 for cancer charities, and inspiring others with his relentless spirit.
For Mike Barnes from the Lions Running Community in Chorley, setting a running goal and joining his local group helped him navigate through a difficult period in his life. By channeling his energy into running, Mike has accomplished remarkable feats, including raising over £25,000 for charity.
"Four years ago, I lost my daughter to bowel cancer. She was 36 years old and had given birth to identical twin girls just 18 months earlier. She was treated at The Christie Hospital in Manchester and was about to start an immunotherapy trial but sadly passed away before she could begin. She also received support from Bowel Cancer UK, an incredible charity that assists people and families dealing with bowel cancer," Mike shared.
Determined to raise funds for both The Christie Hospital and Bowel Cancer UK, Mike faced a challenge: he wasn’t adept at organizing traditional fundraising events like cake sales or jumble sales. Instead, he decided to run. In 2022, at the age of 70, he entered the London Marathon on behalf of Bowel Cancer UK.
"I trained entirely on my own, gradually increasing my distance by running locally. After completing several tough 10k and half marathon runs as part of my training, I realized I needed to take this seriously. I changed my diet and sleep patterns, reduced my alcohol intake (which wasn’t very high to begin with), and challenged myself with more 10k and half marathon distances, as well as participating in my local Parkruns," Mike explained.
In October 2022, Mike achieved his goal by completing the London Marathon, describing the experience as awe-inspiring and deeply enjoyable. "The support from fellow runners and the crowd was incredible. Everyone seemed to know my name as they cheered me on for the 26.2 miles (the name on the vest helped)! I was totally hooked," he said.
After the marathon, Mike sought new challenges. In 2023, he planned a series of 10k and half marathon races every month, leading up to the London Marathon in April 2024, totaling 22 runs in 15 months. His journey took him to beautiful locations, including Palma and Venice, and he also completed the Great North Run and various coastal and city runs.
"At 72, on 21 April 2024, I will take on the London Marathon again, and I can’t wait! This time I’m running for The Christie Hospital. Since I began running, I have raised over £26,000 for cancer charities, thanks to the incredible generosity of friends, family, and the running community," Mike shared.
Running has become a significant part of Mike's life, allowing him to meet supportive people who encourage him along his journey. He now runs with two groups, including the Lions Running Community, where he has found real friends among an amazing group of runners of all abilities.
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