'I'm 74 and running 3 marathons in 14 days in tribute to my daughter'
74-year-old Mike Barnes from Goosnargh has set himself a three-marathon challenge this month in memory of daughter Laura, who died aged just 36.
“Yes, it’s hard”, said 74-year-old Mike Barnes, as he spoke about his three marathon challenge in 14 days. “But it’s nothing compared to what people are going through with cancer. So why would I moan? Many people would love to be able to do what I’m doing.”
Mike, a former headteacher at Goosnargh Oliverson’s CE Primary School, took up running aged 70 following the death of daughter Laura Stephenson aged 36 from bowel cancer in December 2019. She had given birth to identical twin girls and had an older daughter.
After Laura died, Mike - who had never run before - decided he wanted to raise awareness of bowel cancer and raise funds to help research and support those currently affected by cancer, as well as promoting the memory of his daughter.
Since 2022 he has steadily run a number of 10k; half marathons; marathons and an ultra marathon, raising around £45,000 for charity - and isn’t looking to stop any time soon. Infact, he’s upping the ante by taking part in the Manchester Marathon this Sunday, having already completed the Brighton Marathon last week, and on April 26, is entering the London Marathon with daughters Emily and Harriet.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I expect it will be very emotional to run with them.”
He added: “Running brings you closer to the community you run for, and for me, that’s Bowel Cancer UK. I think about all the people who have gone through treatment and it makes it worthwhile. I feel like I’m contributing in some way.
“I always run with ‘For Laura’ on the back of my tshirt, and that’s when people pat you on the back and ask about Laura, tell me she’d be proud and tell their own story about their loved ones affected by bowel cancer. In a way, I’m very luck to belong to two communities - a running community, and a community of people who have gone or are going through cancer treatment.”
Mike says that he eats well with a ‘good breakfast’, but doesn’t follow any special diet, and says he’s lucky that his body is able to recover quickly from events. When he started running, he used to run alone, but is now part of three running clubs which he staggers through the week - Chorley-based Lions Running Community, Red Rose Road Runners, and Manchester-based Made.
Bowel cancer
Mike has spent a lot of time at the Oglesby Cancer Research centre in Manchester, meeting with ‘amazing people’ and learning about the advances in research and immunotherapy. He is keen that people are aware of symptoms, which can include tiredness, back ache and blood in stools.
He said: “I alway say, if you’ve got any of these symptoms and they’re being dismissed, then be persistent and ask to be checked.”
He also wants people aged 50-74 who are issued with bowel cancer screening tests to complete at home to take the opportunity, as the return rate is extremely low. He said: “It takes minutes to do and it can save your life, so why wouldn’t you do it?”