Claire on running the Great North Run for Maggie's

I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (Breast Cancer) in May 2018, just a few weeks after my 30^th birthday.

I hadn’t noticed any obvious symptoms apart from feeling unusually tired, which I brushed off as everyday fatigue. Then, over the bank holiday weekend, I developed a sharp pain in my breast after my dog jumped at me.

My dog knew I had cancer before I did

What really struck me was my border collie's behaviour. Cassie started barking at me and nudging my breast, over and over again. This wasn’t her normal behaviour, she was trying to tell me something. Her persistence made me book a doctor’s appointment.

The GP wasn’t overly concerned, but thankfully, referred me to the one-stop breast clinic on a two-week wait. Less than a week later I had a mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, and fine needle aspiration, all in one day.

Just nine days after that first appointment, I was given the diagnosis oestrogen-positive breast cancer. 

At first, the plan was a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy. But once my HER2 result came back positive, everything changed. Instead, I started six months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiotherapy. It was a lot to take in, so soon after turning 30. 

Maggie's felt like home

I first visited Maggie’s Newcastle not long after starting chemotherapy. From the moment I walked in, I felt at ease.

I was welcomed with tea, biscuits, and it felt like stepping out of the hospital and into somewhere completely different. The centre was filled with light, beautiful gardens, and a cosy kitchen table that instantly felt like home. 

Maggie’s gave me the space to simply be. I could sit quietly in the garden, browse the small library, or join in with others at the table. Some days I wanted to chat, other days I didn’t want to speak at all, and that was okay. No judgement, no pressure. 

It was also one of the few places I felt comfortable going without my wig. In supermarkets or public spaces, people would stare, but at Maggie’s, I was just me. The staff and volunteers were always there if I needed support, and I was able to join a Mindfulness course and Tai Chi classes, which helped me cope in ways I didn’t even know I needed. Maggie’s made such a difference, it felt like a lifeline. 

Signing up to the Great North Run to fundraise for Maggie's

I first ran the GNR in 2015 with only 3 months' training, and although I knew I should have had more time to train, I absolutely loved it. I always said I’d do it again, and I even had a ballot place in 2018, but I was still having chemotherapy and was too unwell to even walk it.

I tried running again in 2020 and 2021, but the lingering effects of chemotherapy and joint pain from tamoxifen made it impossible.  

Then in May 2025, I started running again, and this time I found myself almost pain-free. Within a few weeks, I knew this had to be the year, and I applied for a Maggie's charity place. The GNR has an atmosphere like nothing else: the crowds, the support, the music, the energy.

But this year, running it for Maggie’s, it feels like something so much deeper. I know it will be emotional from start to finish.

I simply wouldn’t have had the same journey without Maggie’s.

The centre gave me a safe haven when I needed it most, and through their courses, classes, and day-to-day kindness, I found strength, friendships, and hope. So I’m running for the staff and volunteers who create that space of comfort, for the friends I met in the workshops, and for those we’ve heartbreakingly lost.

Maggie’s supported me, but they also support so many others who are walking their own difficult path. Running for them feels like a way of giving back, but also of carrying those people with me on the journey.

Training for a half marathon after cancer

Training hasn’t been straightforward, but I’ve discovered that I actually love running. I’ve been following a structured plan that gradually increased my distance, and in July I ran the Great North 10k, which felt like a huge achievement as it was the furthest I’d run since 2015. 

As my mileage went up, I started to feel pain in my hips.

My physio has encouraged me to cycle and add strength training, and so far, that’s working well. I’m still able to run, and I’m determined to complete the GNR this year despite the pain. I’m not chasing a finish time, it’s about crossing that line, however long it takes me.

My training tips for anyone interested in taking part next year

• Be honest about where you’re starting from, and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. I began with Couch to 5k, running just 30 seconds at a time. Finishing that gave me the foundation to move onto a half marathon training plan, which built my distance gradually.
• Fuel and hydration are so important; what you eat and drink before, during, and after runs makes a huge difference. Try out different carbohydrate gels and electrolytes as the weather heats up over the summer and your distance increases.
• Strength training isn’t optional; it really helps prevent injuries and supports your body through the miles.
• Consistency and patience are key; small steps build up to something incredible.

Get involved

If you are inspired by Claire's story, find out how you too can run the Great North Run for Maggie's.

We’re here with you

Our cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors are here for everyone with cancer, and all the people who love them. 

• Come and see us at your nearest Maggie’s
• Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
• Email us at enquiries@maggies.org