Jane teams up

Jane beats cancer and fulfils marathon dream with friend

A year after a diagnosis of breast cancer shattered her 2006 marathon dreams, Jane Stansfield, mother of two, from Holmfirth has trained hard to run her first ever Flora London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April.

Jane and her friend, Julia Casserly, also from Holmfirth, will be running the race for United Response, the charity creating opportunities with people with learning disabilities or mental health needs.

It’s been a difficult 12 months for Jane, aged 41, but she remains incredibly positive.

Jane said:

“I consider myself lucky to be able to run. I’ve got through the treatment in one piece and now it’s a case of getting on with it and being patient and really determined all at the same time.

“I absolutely love running and I’ve always wanted to do a marathon. I think the feeling you get when you cross that finishing line, must be phenomenal. And for me, it will mean even more, knowing that I’ve got through the cancer and all that training.

“My husband and children have supported me 150%, even though it has been a really difficult time for them as well. And now they put up with my long hours of training. I really wouldn’t be able to do all this without them!”

Jane first heard about United Response’s work in Huddersfield, through her friend, Julia Casserly.

Jane said:

“I’ve always thought that if I did run a marathon then I would want it to be for charity, so that I’m not the only person who benefits from my efforts. United Response seemed like an obvious choice. My running partner, Julia, works for the charity locally and I know that their work helps people with learning disabilities do the things in life we all take for granted, such as having a home and getting a job. And it’s important to me that all the money we raise will go to United Response’s work, right here in Huddersfield.”

Jane and Julia became friends through their local gym and have been running together for the last three years. They started off running local 10k races, but soon decided that they wanted a bigger challenge, figuring that if they could run 10 kilometres, they may as well run 26.8 miles.

Julia completed her first Flora London Marathon for United Response last year and is back again this year to spur Jane on.

Julia said:

“Running the marathon last year was my way of giving something back to the people around me. I was planning to run with Jane and when I found out that she was ill, it made me realise how fortunate I was to be fit and healthy, and able to run a race.

“This year, I want to be there to support Jane. I’m also hoping to beat my time and, of course, I’m hoping to raise even more money for United Response’s work locally. The money we raise really can make all the difference.”

The marathon is still over three months away, but Julia and Jane are already training hard.

Jane said:

“We train for an hour a day, six days a week, which includes cross training at the gym as well as an eight to nine mile run at the weekend. As the big race gets nearer we’ll build up our distance. We’re both hoping to complete the race in 4.5 hours, which isn’t bad for a couple of 40+ ladies!

Speaking about what running means to her, Jane said:

“Running is my time. I find it a great way to relieve stress and escape from all of the day-to-day busyness of life. The sense of personal achievement I get from running is also amazing. And I know that if I’m able to go out and train then I must be winning against the cancer.”

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