50 events at 50

We recently returned from a weekend in New York City for the biggest United City Airlines New York Half Marathon yet!

25,000 runners from around the world joined this half marathon, which offered the ideal way to explore the breathtaking sights New York for those whole love to run.  From the Brooklyn Bridge to the bright and lively Times Square and a finish in scenic Central Park, the United Airlines Half Marathon is definitely one to be remembered and on the ‘must do’ list for many.

During our time in New York we were very lucky to meet our incredible runners, including the inspirational Karen Clayton, who has been kind enough to share with us her ’50 things for my 50th’ birthday story. Read more below….

Karen Clayton, 50 years old in February 2019, Lives in Newport, Shropshire.

I have set myself the challenge of doing 50 things for my 50^th birthday year to raise money for Marie Curie charity.

In April 2016 my step dad John was diagnosed with lung and pancreatic cancer with an outlook of three months to live, after extensive intense treatment the cancer still continued to develop and spread.

During his treatment my mother was suddenly diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and then bone cancer in June 2017,  she died at home in August 2017 aged 67.

The Marie Curie charity became involved in the last two weeks of my step dad Johns life, it is impossible to say how much they helped us, words cannot say enough…..

The palliative care of both my parents was the biggest challenge of my life and is why I have set myself this new biggest challenge of my life to fund the one charity that were there with us.

With everything that has happened, it  makes it even more important to me to complete this year long challenge to raise funding for, and awareness of, the incredible nurses of Marie Curie.

So far I have completed eleven events of the fifty I’ve set myself, four 10Ks, a ten miler, a nineteen miler, and five half marathons.

The NYRR New York Half Marathon has been the highlight so far, with the incredible help and support from the Sports Tours International staff, Joe and Jade, I was able to complete a twenty year dream of running a half marathon in New York, I cannot thank them enough for being there and helping me so much.

Throughout all the events so far, the physical challenge they have produced is nothing compared to what I have been through both mentally, and,  at times physically with the care of my parents.

The support from fellow runners and the public have been very humbling,

I might not be up there earning winner’s medals but my 50@50 challenge will not beat me !!

Many thanks,

Karen Clayton xx

To help fund this wonderful cause, you can donate here. You can also follow Karen’s journey through her website and social media channels which can also be found below.

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karen-clayton14

http://karens50at50.simplesite.com

Facebook: Karen Clayton

Instagram: karen50at50

Email: karen-cam@hotmail.co.uk

We recently returned from a weekend in New York City for the biggest United City Airlines New York Half Marathon yet!

25,000 runners from around the world joined this half marathon, which offered the ideal way to explore the breathtaking sights New York for those whole love to run.  From the Brooklyn Bridge to the bright and lively Times Square and a finish in scenic Central Park, the United Airlines Half Marathon is definitely one to be remembered and on the ‘must do’ list for many.

During our time in New York we were very lucky to meet our incredible runners, including the inspirational Karen Clayton, who has been kind enough to share with us her ’50 things for my 50th’ birthday story. Read more below….

Karen Clayton, 50 years old in February 2019, Lives in Newport, Shropshire.

I have set myself the challenge of doing 50 things for my 50^th birthday year to raise money for Marie Curie charity.

In April 2016 my step dad John was diagnosed with lung and pancreatic cancer with an outlook of three months to live, after extensive intense treatment the cancer still continued to develop and spread.

During his treatment my mother was suddenly diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and then bone cancer in June 2017,  she died at home in August 2017 aged 67.

The Marie Curie charity became involved in the last two weeks of my step dad Johns life, it is impossible to say how much they helped us, words cannot say enough…..

The palliative care of both my parents was the biggest challenge of my life and is why I have set myself this new biggest challenge of my life to fund the one charity that were there with us.

With everything that has happened, it  makes it even more important to me to complete this year long challenge to raise funding for, and awareness of, the incredible nurses of Marie Curie.

So far I have completed eleven events of the fifty I’ve set myself, four 10Ks, a ten miler, a nineteen miler, and five half marathons.

The NYRR New York Half Marathon has been the highlight so far, with the incredible help and support from the Sports Tours International staff, Joe and Jade, I was able to complete a twenty year dream of running a half marathon in New York, I cannot thank them enough for being there and helping me so much.

Throughout all the events so far, the physical challenge they have produced is nothing compared to what I have been through both mentally, and,  at times physically with the care of my parents.

The support from fellow runners and the public have been very humbling,

I might not be up there earning winner’s medals but my 50@50 challenge will not beat me !!

Many thanks,

Karen Clayton xx

To help fund this wonderful cause, you can donate here. You can also follow Karen’s journey through her website and social media channels which can also be found below.

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karen-clayton14

http://karens50at50.simplesite.com

Facebook: Karen Clayton

Instagram: karen50at50

Email: karen-cam@hotmail.co.uk