Wirral mum gets set to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity

A Wirral mum of two is getting ready to run seven marathons across seven continents in seven days!

Victoria Crowden has signed up to take part in The Great World Race in November which will see her taking part in epic races in Antarctica, Capetown in South Africa, Perth in Australia, Abu Dhabi in Asia, Portugal in Europe, Cartagena in South America, and Miami in North America.

All in just one week.

It’s the challenge and adventure of a lifetime, and the hardest thing she’s ever done: “There are times when I start to question my sanity,” Victoria smiles. “I think it’s a mid-life crisis.”

She says: “It will be tough.

“I’ve just started my training programme which already has me covering 70km a week – and I’m not a natural runner. I get my weekly programme on a Monday and immediately start swearing and laughing hysterically at what I’ve got to do.”

But behind the jokes and the banter, is a serious reason for tackling such an amazing feat, and a determination that won’t let failure be an option.

The thousands of pounds she hopes to raise will go towards life-saving research at Clatterbridge Cancer Charity … which is already helping to save the life of her husband Neil.

“People think I’m crazy, but I know I’ll do it to support Clatterbridge for the incredible work it does – and for giving Neil a future.”

Neil was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma in June last year. What began as a mole on his back had become cancerous and, by the time he sought treatment, had gone to his lymph nodes and liver.

“Ten years ago there would have been no treatment options for Neil,” says Victoria, 47, from Noctorum. “But because of research into immunotherapy he has access to this lifesaving treatment.

“His first four sessions starting in July cost £33,000 each, and he will need single doses of treatment for another 18 months costing £7,000 a month.

“At his last scan, nothing has grown and it showed there are no active cancer cells. They are either dead or dormant so the treatment is working, and we are very lucky and very grateful that we have this treatment here.”

Ironically, it’s treatment that Neil has helped to fund. The director of Mitchell Group car dealerships based in Ellesmere Port set up a charity, The Captain’s Trust, with his late wife, Lisa, when she was diagnosed with cancer.

Neil, 54, puts 10% of his business profits into The Captain’s Trust which has supported Clatterbridge for several years, in particular funding research into immunotherapy for advanced cancers. “We helped to support the sixth floor of the new hospital, the chemotherapy and immunotherapy ward, and there’s a plaque because of our donations,” says Victoria, who is now a trustee of the Trust and who has raised money for it. “I joke we’re getting a return on our investment.”

In December last year Victoria, who owns and runs Revive Hot Yoga and Fitness in Hoylake, completed a challenge where she ran 5k every day for 100 days, culminating in 10 x 5k races on the last day.

She raised £26,000.

“So this year I’m aiming big,” says the mum to Finn, 20, and Shea, 19. “I read about The Great World Race when Neil and I were in Capetown in January, visiting my dad during a break in Neil’s treatment, and I said I wanted to do it.

“Neil said no but my dad – who’s always been my biggest supporter – said ‘I think you can do it’,” she grins. “I booked a call with the organiser when we got back … 

“It costs £43,000 to take part which includes flights between Antarctica and Miami, and the support and training programme (the latter comes from an Olympic coach).

“I’m already running 70km a week, with the shortest run a 10k, and I have to train six days a week. As well as distance I have speed runs – tomorrow I have to do 24 x 400m sprints!

“But they say if you follow the training programme you will be ready for the challenge, so I’m not going to allow myself to miss a day.

“It’s already the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I teach Pilates, yoga and spin so I’m fit, but running and this is something different altogether.”

Neil has developed serious side effects and Addison’s disease (a rare, chronic disorder where damaged adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient cortisol and aldosterone) from the immunotherapy and will be on medication for the rest of his life, even after the treatment is completed.

“But he has a life and a future to look forward to,” says Victoria.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m excited about going to Antarctica which will be amazing, and places like Miami which I’ve never been to (although Neil says there are other ways of getting there!).

“I’m travelling across seven continents and will probably not see too much of them.

“But I want to raise as much money as possible for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity because I think one day we will be able to cure cancer – and it’s because of the research they and others are doing thanks to donations like this.”

Victoria has set up a GoFundMe page and is hoping that, as well as individual donations, people and organisations might be willing to sponsor events within the race, or more: “My dad is sponsoring the Capetown Marathon.”

Find out more about her journey here and visit the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity website here.

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