Researchers take on marathon challenge

A host of generous fundraisers from the University took part in the 13-mile Leicester Half-Marathon on 25 October to raise money for worthy causes.

Twelve representatives from the Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) took on the challenge to benefit Leicestershire hospice charity LOROS. Organised by Dr Laura Gray, Senior Lecturer of Population and Public Health Sciences, they each ran three miles as part of three teams of four.

She said: “Our work constantly reinforces the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and exercise – we therefore want to practice what we preach by taking part in the Leicester Half Marathon.”

The Leicester Diabetes Centre is an international centre of excellence in diabetes research, education and innovation led hosted at Leicester General Hospital, and is a partnership between the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester.

Also facing the Half-Marathon was Dr Mark Sims, a graduate from the University’s Rainbow Lab in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences. Mark has been diagnosed with cancer and has spent the year raising money for Cancer Research UK, exceeding his original target of £1000 more than forty times over.

You can read Mark’s story on his blog and in the Leicester Mercury, and he has a JustGiving page set up for his fundraising.

Did you take part in the Leicester Half-Marathon? Let us know the details at yournews@le.ac.uk.