What is the Royal Parks Half Marathon?
The Royal Parks Half, presented by Royal Bank of Canada, is the stunning central London Half Marathon which takes in some of the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.
When is it?
Sunday 13th October 2019
Our 2019 team
The Bourke brothers
Martin got in touch with the Foundation in March to sign up for the event, and managed to convince his brothers Daniel and Neil to join him. The trio were motivated to participate as their brother Carl has been a patient of St Mark’s for over 10 years! They wanted to give something back to the Hospital that has helped their brother;
‘Without the multi-disciplinary team working at St Mark’s Hospital I do not think he would be here with us today. This is our way of trying to say thank you, for all of the care they have provided him.’
An exciting development in this tale is that because Carl’s health has continued to improve, he is now also participating! We wish this band of brothers the best of luck!
You can read their full story here
Lorna Hunte
Lorna is the Lead Administrator at St Mark’s Bowel Cancer Screening Centre. This is the second challenge event that Lorna has participated in on behalf of St Mark’s Hospital. She previously competed in the Superhero 10km run.
‘I raised £200 for the Superhero 10km run and I am hoping to raise a lot more this time with your support!’
Click here to visit Lorna’s Just Giving page and help achieve her fundraising target.
Jason Bacon
Jason is the Foundation’s Chief Executive and has undertaken a challenge to compete in a trio of fundraising events. Having already completed a 10 mile paddleboard event, and the 100 mile Prudential Ride London, Jason is gearing up to take on the Royal Parks Half as his final challenge of 2019. Jason has been involved with fundraising for the Foundation dating back to 2011, and he is motivated by his passion for this incredible Hospital. Key to his fundraising mission is to raise awareness of the Hospital because, in his own words;
‘St Mark’s Hospital is to bowel disease what Great Ormond Street is to children.’
Click here to follow Jason’s journey.
Carol Ellis
Carol was all set to take on the Royal Parks Half last year but unfortunately she had to drop out after she was scheduled to have surgery at St Mark’s Hospital just one month prior to event. We are absolutely delighted to say that Carol is doing extremely well in her recovery, so much so that she will be running in this years event!
Robert Moss
Robert ran this event for the Foundation in 2018 and is eager to take up the challenge again. He is running to show his appreciation and to say thanks to the Hospital for the care that his son Eli has received from birth. Robert praises the hospital because
‘ I have seen first-hand how committed and driven the staff are’.
Click here to read Robert and Eli’s story.
Claire Taylor
Claire, Macmillan Nurse Consultant in Colorectal Cancer here at St Mark’s Hospital, answered our recent call for help after a couple of our runners were no longer able to participate.
‘It is 8 years since I last ran this race … I am hoping my knees will hold up! … St Mark’s Hospital and Hospital Foundation is able to save lives as a result of its commitment to a process of continuous development and improvement.’
Click here to follow Caire’s running journey
Chris Gliddon
Chris got involved by volunteering for the Foundation last Christmas, and decided to take on a challenge this year to say thanks for the care he received:
‘Thanks to the care and dedication given to me by the staff at St Mark’s, my second round of cancer was nullified without any need for further treatment. After 10 days as an in-patient I returned home and am now able to lead a normal life – including running! Without the care received from St Mark’s staff, this may not have been possible.’
Click here to learn more about Chris’s story.
Gordon Buchanan
Gordon is a consultant gastroenterologist here at St Mark’s Hospital. He ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon last year and this year he is competing and raising money for the Foundation. Gordon is aiming to finish the race in under 105 minutes!
Andy and Mollie Stevens
Mollie was the first person to sign up with us for this year’s half marathon, and Andy joined the team this August after a few runners were unable to participate. Both Mollie and Andy are patients of St Mark’s Hospital and have fundraised for the Foundation in the past.
Click here to visit their fundraising page.
We want to wish all of our Royal Parks Half Marathon runners the best of luck! And to thank them for their hardwork and dedication to fundraising for St Mark’s Hospital Foundation.
Inspired to do your own fundraising challenge or event?
For more information please contact our Fundraising Executive Kapil on 020 8235 4092 or email kapil.pala@nhs.net