Today (June 3) is Global Running Day! With this in mind, we share the story of Stacey, an NHS worker taking on an epic 100km personal running challenge for a Parkinson’s charity fundraiser…
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Running is not only good for your own health, but can help improve the lives of others. Stacey Flinn-Scholfield, a 36-year-old medical secretary for the NHS, knows this only too well as this weekend she will be running 100km for charity.
Stacey lives in Darlington with husband Paul, 39, and son Bear, aged eight.
The mum-of-one had been signed up to take part in Heineken Race to the Castle – a trail event where participants walk, jog or run a 100km across moorland, winding rivers and through ancient woodlands to reach the magnificent Bamburgh Castle.
Stacey (right) with her husband, Paul, and son, Bear.
Run postponed due to lockdown
Originally scheduled to take place in June, like many other mass participation events this running race was postponed due to the covid-19 outbreak.
Stacey has been training hard during quarantine, with a mixture of running, spinning, online PT and HIIT sessions, whilst carefully managing an injured knee. She credits the support role her family have played with her training needs.
“I have huge support from my husband as I get up stupidly early – between 4 and 5am – so I can get out and get running prior to starting work. He is very understanding, as is my son, who knows the importance of being healthy which is a huge benefit. Routine plays a huge key in our family life, so it helps that we have set days and times for our activities.”
Bamburgh Castle, finishing place of the Heineken Race to the Castle challenge.
Despite the setback, Stacey has decided to complete the distance as planned this weekend (June 6-7) but with routes around her hometown of Darlington. She will be running a total of 100km over two days.
“I feel like I owe it to my sponsors who have helped me raise more than £1000. I was really training hard for this distance and still want to achieve it. It has really helped my mentality by still having a goal throughout the the current Covid-19 situation.”
Racing for her mum and Parkinson’s UK
Stacey, whose longest distance covered to date has been running 10km, will have her mum, husband and son cheering her on from the front garden this weekend.
“I’m most looking forward to seeing my mum at the end and hopefully if lockdown is eased further being able to hug her!”
Stacey is fundraising for Parkinson’s UK, a cause very close to her heart after her mother’s diagnosis nearly 15 years ago.
Stacey (right) with her mum
“I donate on a monthly basis to the charity and have done previous fundraising events for them to raise awareness. When I saw that Parkinson’s UK was a sponsor of Heineken Race to the Castle, it made me want to sign up even more and do all I can for my mum.”
To make a donation towards Stacey’s running challenge, you can visit her Virgin Money Giving page here. The provisional event dates for the postponed Heineken Race to the Castle are the weekend of 26 and 27 June 2021. You can register your interest online at www.racetothecastle.com/
