I have never been a runner. But then, back in 2014 when we started Le Cure, I'd never been a cyclist, either: perhaps that's the point?
On January 25th of this year, I ran 15km for the first time ever; on February 21st, I ran my first ever half marathon; and on Sunday, May 3rd, I'll - hopefully - run my first ever marathon. And it will hurt like hell.
So why am I doing this? Well, the same reason I do most of the stupid physical stuff I do nowadays - Le Cure. This little charity bike ride we set up back in 2014, that's grown into one of the best things any of us have ever done, with hundreds of people taking to their bikes and heading out to the Alps every summer to ride really far, and climb really high, to raise £3.8m to fund research into curing cancer at the Royal Marsden.
And now, yes, we're running too. Not because we like running (although, confession time, I like it a lot more than I did last November), but because in many ways, me running a marathon is even more preposterous than me riding a bike up some mountains, and when it comes to raising money, the more preposterous (and painful) the better.
One day, no doubt, I'll be asking for your support and your sponsorship for something I secretly really want to do: but not today.
Sponsor me today, because this is really going to hurt, and because cancer's a horrible, horrible thing, and because the Le Cure fellowships at the Marsden are working to cure it.
This fundraising page benefits the following good cause:
Imagine a future beyond cancer. At The Royal Marsden we’re dedicated to making this happen. We’re a world-leading innovation centre who pioneer new treatments that save lives. We use our research every day to provide the very best in diagnosis, treatment and care for our patients. The revolutionary way we treat people in our hospitals has far-reaching impact, nationally and internationally. This kind of pioneering work costs money. Support The Royal Marsden and you’re investing in a future beyond cancer for you and for everyone you know.
The Belfast City Marathon will take place on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, with runners setting off from Stormont Estate at 9am, finishing up at Ormeau Park, 26 miles and several hours later.
For the first time ever, Curistas will be raising money without bikes, going back to the very essence of Le Cure: ordinary people doing things they never thought they could do. As ever, every single penny donated will go straight to the Royal Marsden, to fund life-saving - and life-changing - cancer research.
22 May
£50.00
"Don’t become massive marathon bore. ;)"
15 May
£25.00
"Matching the Cubs’ efforts."
13 May
£25.00
"From Stan, Max and Eli - go on Le Cure!"
11 May
£50.00
"Congratulations Dan! Amazing performance and an amazing cause ❤️❤️❤️ all the best. Ben and Caroline "
07 May
£50.00
"Congrats, Dan. See you soon, I hope. "
06 May
£20.00
"Mega congrats! "
05 May
"Amazing effort Dan! "
05 May
£10.00
"Well done Dan! From Lily and the Bearparks x "
04 May
£10.00
"Amazing achievement for a great cause. From the Dibb family"
04 May
£52.00
"Kudos to you Dan ! Impressive time too xxx"
04 May
£100.00
No message
04 May
£10.00
"Well done Dan, great effort!"
04 May
£50.00
"Unbelieeeevable! DC"
04 May
£20.00
Well done Dan! I have a brave and wondrous friend who is being treated at the Royal Marsden now. A great hospital! Lots of love, ... "Well done Dan! I have a brave and wondrous friend who is being treated at the Royal Marsden now. A great hospital! Lots of love, Liz x "
04 May
£10.00
No message
03 May
£20.00
"You did it!! Well done xx "
03 May
£10.00
"Amazing effort Dan from the Fraser’s "
03 May
£10.00
"Well done Dan, a fantastic achievement - the running and the fundraising!"
03 May
£42.27
"Great work, Godfather Dan! "
03 May
£10.00
"Well done and all for a great cause. X "
03 May
£10.00
"Great effort Dan, well done "
03 May
£10.00
"Well done Dan what a amazing achievement xx Katie Kaye x "
03 May
£20.00
"Top effort mate"
03 May
£20.00
"Well done Dan! What an achievement! From the Crabtree’s "
03 May
£20.00
"Good luck Dan!"
03 May
£10.00
"Go for it Dan!"
03 May
£150.00
"On the starting line - GO WELL, Dan xx"
03 May
£20.00
"Go Dan! Love the Moorhouse clan xxx"
03 May
£20.00
"Good luck Dan! "
02 May
£10.00
"Good Luck!"
02 May
£50.00
"CMOOOOON YOU CAN DO IIIIT!!!!!!!!!!!!"
02 May
£50.00
"Dear daddy I am proud of you. I LOVE YOU. Good luck. Love from Mali."
02 May
£10.00
No message
02 May
£10.00
"You've got this Dan! 'Enjoy' the run... Sending love and luck from all the Burkinshaw's xxx"
02 May
£20.00
"You’ve done the hard bit. Now go smash it!! Sending you positive running thoughts. The Workmans xxx"
02 May
£10.00
"All the very best Dan, what a top effort for a great cause. The Duerden family x"
01 May
£10.00
"Go smash it! "
01 May
£10.00
"Good luck Dan"
01 May
£10.00
"Best of luck Dan! Cracking effort. Ewen, Sam, Esther & Angus Gaskell "
01 May
£20.00
"All the best Dan!!! "
01 May
£20.00
"Run, Dan, RUN!!! Cheering you on from Ilkley. Xx"
01 May
£20.00
No message
01 May
£100.00
"Best of luck, Dan - from all your friends at Sense!"
01 May
£25.00
"Go on Captain!!! Thoughts and prayers for your toenails. Love KitKat"
30 Apr
£250.00
"Go smash it, buddy. "
30 Apr
£10.00
No message
29 Apr
£10.00
"Smash it wonderful human! The GBs are sending all their love, strength and gumption. E, e & e xxx’"
29 Apr
£20.00
"Good Luck Dan! "
29 Apr
£50.00
"Good luck Dan! Hope it not too painful. You will ace it! Love, The Cozenses xx"
29 Apr
£20.00
No message