Doctor gets ready to run 250km from Leek Wootton to London - inspired by the memory of her father

A doctor will use the inspiration of her father, as well as the cancer patients she treats, to help her get through a massive 250km run.

Harriet McGrath, who works in oncology at Guy’s Hospital in London, will be setting off from her family home in Leek Wootton on October 7 and will aim to be in London by October 11.

The challenge will be in memory of her father, Simon McGrath, who lived in Leek Wootton for nearly 30 years.

Harriet said the run will mark five years since Simon died of lung cancer and she will be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

Talking about her fathers she said: "He was one of the most caring people I know, he adored the outdoors and, most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends.

"To mark his fifth anniversary, I wanted to combine these and challenge myself to five adventures to raise money for two fantastic charities."

When she realised that the Copenhagen Marathon would not happen due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she changed tack, and decided to take on a single but much bigger challenge - running 250km through the Wadi Rum Desert.

Harriet added: "Again this plan has been thwarted and so instead I'm taking on the less exotic, but perhaps more special race - Leek Wootton to London (home home to home), kicking off on October 7.

"Whilst I may not find myself crossing any sand dunes, I will aim to keep the format the same as the Jordan race: 250km over five days."

Training hasn't gone smoothly for Harriet. She got a hip injury, has been working the emergency coronavirus rota at work and then caught COVID-19 herself.

She said two things have kept her motivated - the memory of her father and the 'fight, resilience and poise' of the cancer patients she treats as as doctor.

She added: "I have thought of them often when I've not wanted to go out for a training run or when my legs have tried to trick me into stopping - if they can do what they're doing, I can certainly enjoy a little run outside.

"I have no idea how I'll manage the 250km but I'll stand at that start line each day and I shall continue to think of them."

To donate visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/inmemoryofsimon