Jennifer Razak says the ‘miles of training’ have been tough
Jennifer Razak with daughter Laila(Image: Humber Health Partnership)
Hull hospital matron Jennifer Razak is running one of the world’s largest marathons next month to help people with cancer. Jennifer, who works in the Site Team at Hull Royal Infirmary, will be among almost 57,000 runners embarking on the 26.2-mile challenge, which takes in the city’s famous landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, on Sunday, April 12.
She is running to raise money for Cancer Research UK in memory of her friend’s daughter, Molly, who died of a rare form of cancer at just 27 two years ago. She is also running for her mum who has had extensive surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy after developing bowel cancer.
Jennifer said: “I’m not just doing this for the kilometres, I’m doing it to make a difference. As a nurse, I have seen and still see so many people suffering with these awful diseases.
“I will be running for all of these people, to try to make a difference, however small. It’s time for things to change. The only way to make a change is to all try.”
Jennifer, who has worked at Hull Royal Infirmary for four years, has been running for most of her adult life and has completed a number of marathons and half-marathons in Yorkshire. This is her biggest running adventure by far.
She has been training for the distance by fitting training runs around her day and night shifts at the hospital while caring for her three year-old daughter, Laila, with husband Adam, who is a neurosurgeon at Hull Royal. Jennifer said: “Finding the time to put in the miles of training to prepare for the event has been tough but I’m lucky to have had amazing support from my family and friends.
“This year, Molly would have turned 30 and would have given anything to be in Paris doing it. Knowing that I’m doing it in her honour will be sure to keep me going.”
Jennifer had aimed to raise £1,000 for the charity but has now set her sights on raising as much as she can after reaching her initial target. You can find the link to her fundraising page here.
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