A chemistry teacher from Sheffield will be taking on the ABP Newport Marathon as part of a long list of challenges to raise money for charity.
Oliver Pike, 45, set himself the goal of completing 15 athletic challenges after his wife, Lynsey Milligan, underwent 15 days of radiotherapy for breast cancer.
He’s doing so to raise money for Breast Cancer Now.
Lynsey was only 41 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2024.
Oliver said: “The diagnosis came seemingly out of nowhere and my world was thrown into complete shock.”
A month later Lynsey had a lumpectomy, followed by 15 days of radiotherapy.
Thankfully, she is now doing well.
He said: “Until you’ve gone through the procedures you don’t see how much it takes out of you. The radiotherapy really drained her and she suffered with chronic fatigue.
“I wanted to do something and after watching the London Marathon on TV I came up with the idea for the 15 challenges.”
Oliver set himself 15 challenges made up of running, cycling and triathlons and said: “I wanted them to be tough and wanted to space them out – although I’ve given myself a real crescendo finish of four marathons in six weeks – including one big weekend of pain with the Three Peaks Fell Race and the TCS London Marathon.
“My friends all think I’m bonkers and it’s going to be a logistical nightmare getting around the Uk for everything as I’m doing a marathon in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but I’ll make it work.”
The ABP Newport Marathon, which is part of the ABP Newport Marathon Festival, takes place on Sunday 13 April and will be Oliver’s 9th challenge.
Oliver added: “Without the vital research carried out by Breast Cancer Now, my wife would not have received the level of care and personalised medical intervention that she did. Without research she would not have been diagnosed so quickly and operated on so well.
“Research into further developments can only help people like my wife, my mother and everyone who will be diagnosed with cancer in the future. My wife with her positive attitude and stoic nature towards her diagnosis and treatment has inspired me to push myself to complete 15 challenges to raise as much money I possibly can for Breast Cancer Now.”
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at event organisers Run 4 Wales, added: “We’re always amazed by the inspiring runners like Oliver taking part in our events who are pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones to achieve the extraordinary.
“We wish him the best of luck as he continues completing his 15 challenges for such a worthy cause and look forward to welcoming him at the start line in Newport.”