Sue Ryder calls on the community to lace up their trainers for this year’s Great Eastern Run

Palliative, end-of-life care and grief support charity, Sue Ryder, is calling on runners to take on the AEPG Great Eastern Run this October and help raise money to support its vital services.  

The Great Eastern Run half marathon, which takes place on Sunday 11 October, sees thousands of people pound the pavements of Peterborough, passing through the grounds of the city’s cathedral.

Many will be running for charities like Sue Ryder, which provides expert palliative and end-of-life care through its hospices, as well as care to people in the community, and grief support.

Among the Sue Ryder runners last year was Jane McLean who was participating in memory of her husband, Craig. Craig was cared for at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in the final days of his life.

Jane said: “Craig spent four months in and out of hospital and received excellent care, but when we were sadly told that his condition was terminal, we decided to move to Sue Ryder. The hospice felt calm, tranquil and welcoming, it was quite different to being in the hospital where you had the sound of machines beeping and lots of people in and out.”

“The Sue Ryder Nurses’ specialist end-of-life care and pain management made a huge difference to Craig. He also had direct access to fresh air and views of the beautifully maintained gardens which were particularly meaningful to Craig, who loved being outdoors. It helped make a difficult time more manageable.”

Jane hopes that by sharing her experience she can encourage others to run for Sue Ryder. “I have always viewed completing a half marathon as a personal bucket-list ambition. I saw information about the Great Eastern Run while I was at the hospice with Craig and shortly after he died, I signed up. I felt that I wanted to be able to give something back.”

Jane says that if she can do it, everyone can: “I had always kept up a general level of fitness and maintained a regular routine of running 5km five times a week, as well as swimming and taking part in fitness classes, but I never considered myself as a serious runner.”

“I received regular encouragement and advice from the Great Eastern Run community which really helped, and along with determination and commitment, I knew I would finish.

"I found it surprisingly more manageable than I expected. I was never motivated by pace, timing or running statistics, but by the personal challenge and supporting Sue Ryder.”

Jane continued: “The atmosphere was phenomenal, with crowds cheering runners on throughout the course. Travelling through the city brought back fond memories of when I first met Craig. I passed the flat that I rented when I moved to the city. This definitely helped me through the course.”

She adds: “Crossing the finish line was special because I had honoured my husband's legacy, supported Sue Ryder, and proved I could achieve something I never thought possible.

“It’s made me more fearless and confident. I have since taken on further challenges including a motorbike trip to the Himalayas. I am also hoping to walk the Great Wall China in 2028 for Sue Ryder.”

“I would encourage everyone to sign up for the Great Eastern Run because of the supportive atmosphere, and with Peterborough being so flat there’s very few challenging inclines making it suitable for all. You will finish with such a great sense of personal accomplishment.”

To sign up, visit: Great Eastern Run 2026 | Sue Ryder

For more information about Sue Ryder visit: sueryder.org