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Three members of the same family will take part in a 50-mile ultramarathon, to show there is life post-cancer.
On Saturday July 27th, three members of the Hodgson family will take part in the Montane Lakeland 50 – a 50-mile ultra-marathon with a 10,000-foot climb.
Karl Hodgson (35), one of Preston Harriers’ brightest stars, his plasterer dad Mick (59) and clinical coder mum Annie (58) will all be taking on the ultramarathon that runs between Ullswater and Coniston. Karl’s harrier girlfriend Sophie Pilkington and her brother Joel will also be taking part.
Read more: Team from Lostock Alehouse trek 60kg barrel of beer up Scafell Pike for Rosemere
Karl spent 16 years under the care of The Christie Hospital having been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, at just 17-years-old.
Karl endured chemotherapy and radiotherapy; Annie also underwent radiotherapy at Rosemere Cancer Centre after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 48.
Annie said: “Karl has done both the Lakeland 100 and the Lakeland 50 before. Mick did the Lakeland 50 last year but I am doing it to celebrate 10 years post diagnosis.”
“I used to run years ago for fitness but when Karl was diagnosed with cancer, it just blew our world apart and I stopped. I was then diagnosed. Cancer has affected many members of our family – my mother-in-law Ann Brenda Hodgson is now recovering well having just finished treatment for throat cancer at Rosemere Cancer Centre – but we wanted to show there is life after cancer.
“It might take a while to get back to how you felt before but you can come back stronger. You realise being alive and being together with family is all you really need to be happy. Karl started running as part of his recovery. He’s taken it to another level but just getting out in the fresh air as a family for a walk is so good.”
Karl’s friend, Steve Willett, of fun running advice podcast The Brig Boys, has set up an online fundraising page for Annie with all donations going to Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
Karl said: “Mum has been the rock of our family for my whole life. She was there every moment when I was at The Christie and has been there for so many other people in her adult life. Sometimes, she doesn’t get the appreciation she truly deserves as she’s a very selfless person, who will happily put others first.
He shared his heartfelt sentiments: “What a way to celebrate her 10-year anniversary. Mum, I love you. Good luck and I’ll be seeing you at the finish in Coniston. If you don’t make it, you can get the bus back!”
Also at the finish line will be Annie and Mick’s two other children, eldest Kieran and youngest Lucie, who is mum to their granddaughters Aurora and Bridget.
Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital and at eight other local hospital cancer units across the two counties.
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