"I've never worn a top with so much pride" - Victoria and the team take on Edinburgh Marathon
Last weekend, 49 amazing team Pancreatic Cancer UK runners took on Scotland's largest mass participation running event, the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, to raise an incredible £34,715 so far!
The team joined over 35,000 runners on routes of 10k, half, and full marathon, which encompass the city with Edinburgh Castle as a stunning backdrop. Setting off from the picturesque Holyrood Park, runners followed the historic Royal Mile before travelling through Musselburgh and along the East Lothian coastline with iconic city sights along the way.
Amongst them was Victoria, who ran in memory of her mum, sadly lost to pancreatic cancer in April 2021, alongside her friend Sarah.
Victoria’s story
“My wonderful mum died of pancreatic cancer last April, but my goodness she was brave. Mum didn’t moan, didn’t complain. Kept up her jolly attitude to life and just accepted it. Her mental strength was inspiring.
It devastated our family, and left such an enormous empty hole in our hearts, especially Dad’s. He tried so incredibly hard, but he just could not go on without his beloved Bev, and sadly died of a heart attack within six months of losing Mum.
So I decided to do this for them.
Running hasn’t always been my friend, but last year it was the thing that got me through all this, so I wanted to give something back to running and raise as much money as possible to help Pancreatic Cancer UK help others. My oldest school friend and biggest partner in crime, Sarah, persuaded me it was achievable.
And what a day! It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also up there with one of the most incredible, and an experience that filled me with emotion from start to finish. We felt my parents were both with us every step of the way, and they parted the clouds to bring out the sunshine. I’ve never worn a top with so much pride!”
Of course, the day wouldn’t have been the same without our amazing volunteers and staff cheering the runners on, and Victoria, Sarah and the team were kept going with amazing support from the cheerpoint teams.
We can’t thank everyone who participated enough for their fantastic efforts in the build up to and on the day.