Mum takes on gruelling 100km trail in tribute run
A TRAINING regime that involves running over the Sydney Harbour Bridge will raise thousands of pounds for East Cheshire Hospice.
Catherine Kane, 40, who moved to Australia 13 years ago, is tackling one of the world’s toughest runs, the Ultra Trail 100km held in the Blue Mountains National Park, to raise money for the hospice where her mum, Norma, spent her final days last September.
Catherine flew back from Sydney to care for her mum who passed away only six weeks after her initial diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
“She was incredibly brave and pragmatic,” said Catherine. “She spent just two full days at the hospice but we were so grateful to the team there who were so gentle and kind. My family and I all felt very welcome and that we could make ourselves at home.
“Even my two-year-old daughter Anja came to spend time with her grandma and no-one batted an eyelid as she wandered around pulling her toy telephone and babbling away.”
Catherine has been road running for many years but switched to trail running – running mainly on hiking trails – after the birth of her daughter and the 100km race is one she is not taking lightly.
“I had sworn I would never do it,” she said. “I was support crew for my husband when he completed the race a few years ago and saw first-hand how tough it was.
“I’m running around 60km a week at the moment and my run to work over the Sydney Harbour Bridge is pretty stunning.
“I encounter all the typical Aussie wildlife on my runs - wallabies, lizards and snakes - so you have to be careful,” she said.
Catherine, who attended King’s School in Macclesfield, says the choice of charity was obvious given the care her mum was given but it will be a moving day as race day, May 19th, falls on what would have been Norma’s 79th birthday.
“It will be very emotional, however I think it’s quite special to celebrate her life in this way,” said Catherine.” If mum can get through those six weeks with such dignity, I can take this challenge on.
“I hope she would be proud of my fundraising efforts - I also think she’d consider me slightly bonkers.”
Catherine has already raised £1,400 and is hopeful she’ll raise a lot more before the challenge. Her fundraising page is uk. virginmoneygiving.com/ CatherineKane1.