James Williams

From a bumble round Parkrun, to Brighton Marathon 

In 2027, I am going to break my very long absence from distance running - 11 years ago was my last Marathon (Manchester in 2016) that I disappointingly had to limp my way injured over my last marathon finish line in Manchester in 2016. I’m Jay and now in my 40’s I have the need to banish this disappointment and I have signed up to run the Brighton Marathon in April 2027 for Arthritis UK.  

This charity is especially close to mine and my family's hearts. My Stepdaughter S at just 15years has suffered with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) since she was JUST 4years old! This means I have the greatest motivation everyday at home. 

In 2015 at just 4years of age S, started to lose her ability to do even basic activities such as walking, getting into and out of bed to holding a knife and fork to eat. Her parents had to fight for months for any support until one doctor potentially recognised the symptoms. My partner and her now ex-husband, had a very long hospital wait with their then 4 year old daughter, awaiting tests results to show if she had Advanced Leukemia - a possible terminal diagnosis, or little-known Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and all the issues that would bring. 

Luckily it came back as JIA, However, even with the diagnosis it was still a very scary time for both S and her parents, until she was established on an effective medication plan. Over the past 11years, S has had to face more than her share of challenges, thanks to the symptoms of JIA, the appalling side effects of the medications including a drug commonly used in Oncology that has devastated her immune system and stunted her bone growth and has missed much of what other children her age have been able to experience. This amazing young lady has sat through hours of hospital appointments, treatments and surgeries. She also has had to deal with home injections every week. The pain and isolation caused by the JIA being in almost every joint of her body now has affected her in ways that have taken time to find alternative ways around things every teen wants to be doing. Yet often she meets everyday with a smile (as much as a teenager smiles anyways). 

I see this battle everyday and this is what has motivated me to push beyond my own issues, and to raise money towards the support and research projects at Arthritis UK. 

The start line of the Marathon in Brighton’s Preston Park on April 4th, 2027, will be the finish line of approximately 975miles of training and countless hours of stretching and icing of muscles, through late summer evenings, wet and windy Autumnal days, and the cold and dark winter months. 

I am hoping to have a series of events and opportunities for you all to help me raise much needed funds, I am hoping to raise a minimum of £1 per mile of training & running (a minimum target of GP£1001) and with support I will achieve and hopefully smash this. 

I will use this page and social media to share this journey to hopefully inspire those who live with arthritis and other conditions to keep going - much as they inspire me on a daily basis.