Southend trainer with cystic fibrosis to run 36 marathons

Sophie Holmes, from Southend, was told she would not live to be 16 years old after the life-changing diagnosis, but has repeatedly beaten the odds.

Now, the 32-year-old is hoping to add her name to the record books and kicked off her challenge by completing the London Marathon on Sunday.

For the remainder of the challenge, Sophie is running marathons in and around the Southend area on a daily basis.

Guinness World Records had told her she would set a record if all 36 marathons were completed.

Despite the monumental challenge ahead of her, Sophie insists she is taking it “one marathon at a time” as she attempts to set the world record for “most consecutive marathons run by someone with cystic fibrosis, a rare genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs.

She said: “I was born with cystic fibrosis, and I was told I wouldn’t make 16, I was told there is no point and that I would die young, unable to achieve what I wanted and I wanted to defeat those odds, when people believed that nothing was possible.

“The reason I wanted to undertake this challenge was because when I was 16, I was told by doctors that I had made it but would not make 30 and I turned 30 during Covid and wanted to celebrate then by running 30 marathons in 30 days.

“When the opportunity to run the London Marathon came around, I decided ‘what is a few more’, and revived the idea.”

As well as shooting to set the world record, Sophie is hoping to aim £10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as a thank you for the support she has received throughout her life. Sophie added: “I am taking each day as it comes. I am basing it entirely on the run and I am not focusing on the speed.

“I am feeling good, my legs are tired but it is part of the process, even one marathon is a huge demand but I have a great support network.”

To donate to Sophie’s fundraiser, visit 2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/sophie-grace-holmes.