Mum-of-three Clare Hackett is on a mission to raise money and awareness for motor neurone disease charity
She may not be tall but Clare Hackett is certainly not short on determination to do her best for a charity close to her heart. Mum-of-three Clare, 52, who lives off Saltshouse Road in east Hull, uses her capacity to run to the benefit of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.
Ever since the late Rob Burrow’s battle with MND was highlighted, and inspired by his teammate Kevin Sinfield, Clare has been donning her running shoes and competing in events on behalf of MND. She most recently ran the 2025 Great North Run in her MND vest, crossing the finishing line in around 2hr 44min.
Clare also ensures her endeavours encompass the number seven – Rob Burrow’s jersey number – so her next big challenge in January 2026 will be to complete seven ultra-marathons in seven days. Clare said: “I used to run at school but then I got into it again.
“The January before last I did seven half-marathons in seven days; this January I did seven marathons in seven days and the next big one, in January 2026, will be the seven ultra-marathons in seven days. I always run for MND – the charity sent me an invitation a few months ago to run around the track at Costello [Stadium in Hull] with Kevin Sinfield.”
The sportsman ran through Hull as a checkpoint for his 7in7in7 challenge on December 5, 2024, via Costello Stadium, to raise money for MND in memory of his friend and former teammate Rob. Clare, who is a mobile cleaner, said her dad and his father before him were runners.
“When I started my races, cross country at school, my dad would say ‘your grandad has left you this talent, go finish it’.
“When my grandad was a runner many years ago, his outfit was like something out of Chariots of Fire. How they did it in those running shoes, I don’t know.
“I used to say to my dad, ‘I’m going to do London one day’. I’ve got into London next year by ballot.
“I cried my eyes out when I found out. My grandad would have been over the moon and I am so excited.
“I will be thinking about them both – my dad passed away too – when I do the marathon. I’m doing Manchester the week before and then London.
“I’ll just take it steady. I just want to take in the fact that I’m there and enjoy it.” Clare, whose followers keep up to date with her challenges on Facebook and who has become a recognisable face at her various runs said: “They call me the little Hull fundraiser – I’m only 4ft 9in – and I get all these lovely messages.
“I got on Humber Wave radio and also on That’s TV. Coincidentally that’s on Channel 7, so it’s appropriate.
“People will join me on their bikes or on bits of my runs when I’m out and about. The rest of the time it’s just me and my partner at home with our little dog.”
Clare, who has two sons and a daughter, said: “My partner’s very supportive of what I do, but he doesn’t run. I took him out for a couple of miles once and straight away had to bring him home again!”
Of her Great North Run challenge on Sunday, and a mix-up with the medals which has since come to light, with race organisers apologising – the awards depict an area of Sunderland instead of Newcastle – Clare said: “It looks great to me, I didn’t realise, I got a medal and that’s all that matters to me.”