Brain tumour survivor runs from Land's End to John O'Groats

Sara Crosland, from Ellesmere Port, intended to complete the 855-mile trek from Land's End to John O'Groats in September 2022.

After completing just under 170 miles, Sara was taken to Weston General Hospital, in Weston-Super-Mare and forced to stop her challenge due to tendonitis, shin splints and a suspected stress fracture.

Sara's diagnosis

The 48-year-old was diagnosed with a rare Acoustic Neuroma brain tumour – also referred to as a Vestibular Schwannoma – in 2018.

Since receiving the all clear, Sara has needed physio to relearn to balance and walk and also suffers with profound hearing loss, dizziness, nausea, tinnitus, vision problems, and facial palsy, along with chronic fatigue.

Sara had to endure a eight-hour surgery to remove her brain tumour (Image: Sara Crosland)

In 2021 Sara published her story, "Sickbed To Summits", to raise awareness of the hidden disabilities that come with the aftermath of a brain tumour diagnosis.

Resuming the challenge

Sara was in rehab from September and had a programme put in place to concentrate on rebuilding her strength in areas which may have caused her injury.

Speaking to the Globe, she said: "I did water-walking, exercises on a bike and then I started to gradually re-introduce running.

"I was back running a few miles by around November. I was really lucky."

Sara's first post injury race was the Trail Half Marathon in Delamore Forest in January (Image: Sara Crosland)

From January, Sara started to plan when she would resume the run and a woman, Kerry Horsman-Gray, who has the same brain tumour Sara had, stepped in to offer her support.

"She's going to be driving for me and she's also an ultra-runner", Sara said.

"It's good to have someone who understands the running side of things but also someone who understands the physical side, in terms of the brain tumour."

Sara and Kerry (Image: Sara Crosland)

Sara will be setting off tomorrow (March 26) and intends to complete the challenge in 17 days, running between 36 and 47 miles a day.

She added: "I'm nervous this time. I was fully aware something could go wrong last time but it makes you more apprehensive about doing it again.

"For me, it's just something I've got to do."

If there are any sections of the run Sara is struggling with, she will be bringing a bike this time in case it's needed to keep ontop of the mileage.

Brain Tumour Awareness Month

March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month. It was launched in 2004 by a group of charities that went on to become founding members of Brain Tumour Research.

To highlight the awareness month, Sara will be carrying brain tumour symptom checker cards, which she will be sharing with people along her journey.

She said: "I am really keen to highlight where things need to change in terms of early diagnosis, treatment options available, and the lack of research funding from the Government."

You can live-track Sara's progress here.

You can donate to Sara here.

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