A WIRRAL dad has taken on 'the toughest mountain race in the world' for a cancer support charity after his parents and wife were diagnosed with the disease within a space of months.
Rich Williams set off on 'The Dragons Back Race' - a 265 mile run setting off from Conway Castle, North Wales and running through the mountainous spine of Wales all the way to Cardiff Castle, South Wales - on September 2.
He crossed the finishing line six days later, on Saturday September 7, 6 after 58 hours and 36 minutes of running finishing in ninth position overall out of the 374 that started, with 124 managing to finish of that 374.
Proceeds from the run will go to Maggie’s cancer charity at Clatterbridge - which provides free practical, emotional, and social support to those affected by cancer.
Rich, 41, who lives in Higher Bebington, had very personal reasons for running in aid or Maggie's. His dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in April last year, and told it was incurable. That same day, his mum told him she also had breast cancer.
Just a few months later, in August, Rich's wife Naomi was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was growing quickly.
That was actually the second baby Naomi had lost in that year. She went through 20 'gruelling weeks' of chemotherapy at Clatterbridge followed by another surgery and three weeks of radiotherapy.
Naomi said: "Throughout this I had, and continue to have the support of the Maggie's centre at Clatterbridge.
"The dedicated team were there to listen when I just needed to cry, with cake and warm cups of tea.
"Along with specialist support groups like the young women’s cancer group I go to where I have met other young women who have been told they too have cancer.
"Along with makeup sessions for women who are going through treatment and a plethora of other facilities and groups on offer.
"The support of Maggie’s is endless, not only did they support me, but they also offered support to Rich"
'The Dragon's Back Race' is described by Naomi as an Ultra Marathon every day for six days, totalling 380km (265miles) and over 17,400m (57,500ft) of elevation - the equivalent of running up Mt Everest more than twice.
Proceeds will go to Maggie’s cancer charity at Clatterbridge, which support me and many others throughout their cancer journey.
Rich has never taken on anything of this magnitude that’s a multi-day staged event and only recently completed his first ultra marathon in preparation for the event. He says he has always been fit and active and mentally incredibly strong.
In a message on his justgiving page, Rich - who has done a few sporting challenges over the years involving the mountains, including the British 3 peaks, Kiliamanjaro, Mont Blanc and The Matterhorn - wrote: "They say when it rains it pours, well pour it did, for me and my family.
"In 2023 my dad, the man I look up to, was told he had cancer, again, this time it was his lungs and it was incurable, which as you can imagine for anyone was devastating to hear. But the story doesn’t end there, that same day my mum sat me down to also tell me she had found a lump, and her breast cancer was back.
"I couldn’t believe it, both my parents with cancer at the same time. But again, the story doesn’t end there.
"Not long after that, my partner, my fiancée, the mother of my child, told me she had found a lump in her breast, and that she too had cancer, at the age of 39. Not the hat-trick I had hoped for.
"After a gruelling 20 weeks of chemo, more surgery, 15 rounds of radiotherapy, and more medication than you can imagine, we’re here to tell the unimaginable tail, JUST...
"Throughout this crazy journey, Naomi has had the support and still has the continued support of the Maggie’s centre, Wirral.
"This amazing organisation can only operate by donations and volunteers, and now it’s time to give something back for all that they have done for me and my family".
"Many of you will know the gruelling training I have gone through over the last 7months, alongside supporting my family, work and all of life’s other obstacles.
"To see Naomi, my dad and family and the finish line was the greatest feeling I could have asked for. That feeling I had looking at them both and my mum, knowing that the money raised from completing this epic challenge is going to help and support so many others like my family at the Maggie’s Cancer Care Wirral."
Urging Globe readers to support Rich on 'The Dragon's Back Race, Naomi added "It is the toughest mountain race in the world.
"Please support him and this wonderful charity so we can raise awareness and support a wonderful cause."
To support Rich's fundraising effort for Maggie's, click on this link
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