The Yorkshire man running 'most obscure marathon I could find' in honour of his mum

A North Yorkshire man says he has been searching for “the most obscure marathon he could find” to raise money for the hospice team who cared for his mum.
Laura Reid
By Laura Reid
Published 7th Mar 2023, 11:50 BST

Sixty-two-year-old Paul Ackerley, of Harrogate, only started running five years ago and is now planning to run the Antarctica Marathon this month. He will be running in temperatures as low as minus ten, to raise money for St Leonard’s Hospice in York.

“My mum died of cancer in May 2017 and St Leonard’s Hospice provided wonderful care in the last few weeks of her life, meaning she could stay at home,” he says. “We were all so grateful. I wanted to recognise the support and give a little back.”

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Paul started running local Park Runs and built up his distance, taking part in the Manchester Marathon in 2021 and then the Rome Marathon in 2022. He has already done 75 half marathons but, until now, he hasn’t been fundraising.

Paul Ackerley will be running in temperatures as low as minus ten when he takes part in the Antarctica Marathon.Paul Ackerley will be running in temperatures as low as minus ten when he takes part in the Antarctica Marathon.
Paul Ackerley will be running in temperatures as low as minus ten when he takes part in the Antarctica Marathon.

“I wanted a proper challenge for my first fundraising run – one that would test me, generate interest and make my mum proud. So, I started looking for the most obscure one I could.”

The Antarctica Marathon will involve 170 runners who travel there by boat before competing in the event.

Related topics:YorkshireNorth YorkshireHarrogateYork