Ultra runner Mark Thornberry was given six to nine months to live back in June 2017, but he’s still putting his best foot forward and raising huge amounts for the King’s College Hospital Charity Fund.

Alongside fellow ultra-runner, and friend of Fast Running, Allan Rumbles, they have come together with an excellent list of raffle prizes that includes a GB vest signed by the entire British 24hr team that was running at the recent World Championships in Albi, a gift bundle of Maurten Running fuel (in partnership with FR) and a whole host of race entries and goodies.

To enter you simply have to donate £5 per ticket, with Canary19 in the comments, alongside full name and email at Mark’s fundraising page here. 

Over the couple of years Mark has already raised £114,000 for the excellent King’s College Hospital charity fund. KCH is a leading NHS hospital and home to the well renowned Institute of Liver Studies. Mark writes on his page that “Everyone I’ve met there, from porter to nursing support to Consultant have been off the chart with their dedication to patient care.”

“Research into liver cancer is really underfunded” informs Mark. “In terms of incidence it’s 17/18th in the UK charts, but for mortality it’s around sixth each year, so it’s not as big a target as it should be in the UK.”

The stats might be against Mark, who’s at the final stage D with his own cancer, but he says “I absolutely will not stop fighting, they’re only stats after all.”

Night running is a way to support as well

It’s not just through the raffle that you can show your support, but also through the 3rd 1st Annual Head-Torch Marathon. We’re not sure how the 3rd/1st thing works either, but you can sign up via Canary Trail Events and enjoy a cracking evening in the Surrey Hills, all in support of a great cause.

It’s a guided event starting from Mickleham Village Hall on the 28th December, so great to get the legs moving again after a festive break or just to meet some good people, share some trail times and support a great cause.

The full list of prizes is shown below, with details on entry too. The Fast Running package includes a box of Maurten 320 and a box of Maurten 160 so is a great prize for anyone preparing for spring marathons wanting to run a PB.

Don’t miss out and enter here straight away. You could be getting extra Christmas presents this year!

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