Latest news with #marathon
BreakingNews.ie
18 hours ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Runner in Cork City Marathon dies
A participant in the Cork City Marathon has died, organisers have said. Thousands of runners took part in the event on Sunday. Advertisement A statement said: 'Cork City Council is deeply saddened to confirm that a participant in the Cork City Marathon has tragically passed away. 'The person was attended to immediately by the emergency services on the scene. 'Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.' The marathon had 550 international participants from more than 26 countries. Advertisement
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I lost 7st without shelling out £££s on fat jabs – with simple tweaks so subtle my husband shed 5st without even trying
WHEN Leigh-Ann Turpin finished a marathon she should have been celebrating. Instead, she was humiliated by her photo at the finishing line. Weighing 20 stone, the 42-year-old was shocked she had made it over the line at all. 8 8 8 Her family had been worried when she decided to run the Brighton Marathon in April 2018, encouraged by the fact that she had completed a 10K. She found the training difficult, but she stuck with it, and by the time she was at the start line, the hairdresser, from Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex felt as fit as everyone else. 'But in reality, I wasn't,' she says. 'I was just under 20 stone, and had never run a marathon before. 'I felt like dying as I finally made it over the finish, but what a sense of achievement. 'That was, until I looked at the picture of me coming through the finish line. 'I was so enormous, I never realised I was that big, until I could see it there right in front of me. I was horrified. 'I was definitely in denial about it and very unhappy with how I looked. 'I was low in myself, had no confidence, I hated looking in mirrors.' It was the push that Leigh-Ann needed, having gotten into the habit of gorging on takeaways with her husband Wayne, 47. She and Wayne, who share two kids - Ronnie, 18, and Frankie, 16 - embarked on a weight loss journey together. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons They lost 12st combined by changing their indulgent diet. 'Wayne has been so proud of what I've achieved, and it's definitely brought some romance back into our lives,' she says. 'We fancy each other again, and Wayne is always telling me I look lovely. 'We've been together since 2005 after meeting at a local car club meeting - I was the chairman of the car club and Wayne was a member. 'But after years of being overweight, the spark had definitely dimmed. 'We had no energy for the bedroom, let alone anything else, but we have lots more now. 'When I was 20 stone, I'd cover up my body in baggy black clothes, now I'll wear something, and he'll say 'what's this little number?'. 'It's made us both appreciate each other a bit more. I have a lot to thank that marathon for.' And though weight loss injections weren't around yet, Leigh-Ann says she wouldn't have touched them. Leigh-Ann revealed: 'I'd never have used any slimming jabs - that isn't for me. 'I've done it all without using Ozempic. They can be a good aid, but you should still follow healthy eating too.' 'Too ashamed' Leigh-Ann, a hairdresser, had struggled with her weight all her life. 8 8 She says she got bigger after having children and piled on most of the weight between 2013 and 2018. 'Working in a hair salon there was never enough time to grab a proper lunch, so I was always eating on the go,' she recalled. 'For breakfast I would eat rounds of toast and jam, then have a sandwich with crisps and chocolate for lunch, followed by a takeaway or something from the freezer that I could just stick in the oven for dinner. 'Wayne and I both loved an Indian takeaway and we would get the whole works, tucking into a Jalfrezi, with rice, poppadoms and dips - everything naughty that you could possibly get. 'In the salon, I'd often hear people refer to me as 'the big girl cut my hair' and I hated that.' Leigh-Ann had been on the merry-go-round of dieting for years, unable to find a method that stuck. 'I tried to lose weight - I was attempting a new diet every week, I just couldn't stick to it," she said. 'I needed someone to give me support and make me accountable but I was too ashamed to join any slimming groups, convinced that people would judge me if I walked into a class. 'I calorie counted and even tried liquid diets, but I was getting nowhere. 'Wayne would encourage me, telling me I could do it, but otherwise, I didn't have any support. I'd start off the day with good intentions, and not eat anything, but by night time I'd be starving, so I'd wolf down huge portions.' Turning point The marathon came about after Leigh-Ann successfully completed a 10K. She said: 'I'd never even attempted a marathon before, and my friend Dawn was there egging me on. 'At the 13-mile mark, she even hopped over the barrier to join me, urging me on to the finish line. 'Mum had been worried about me doing the marathon,' Leigh-Ann admits. 'I did a bit of training for it, and would go out running, but by the time of the marathon, I think I thought I was one of the fit runners, just like everyone else. 'Mum didn't want me to keel over with a heart attack with the exertion of it all. 'I brushed off her worries and didn't understand what she was talking about…until I saw that photo of me at the end. 'I looked at the picture of an unhealthy me. I had always been unhappy with what I looked like and my excess flab, but that really drove it home to me. I knew then that I was lucky to still be alive.' I knew then that I was lucky to still be alive Leigh-Ann Turpin It was the turning point for Leigh-Ann. She knew she had to do something about it. 'I confided in a friend at work about how I was feeling - she was losing weight, and would bring nice things to eat at work. So why was she losing weight and not me? 'She told me she went to Slimming World and asked me to come with her. 'I told her about my fears of walking into a slimming group, and she laughed and said it wasn't like that at all, and they were lovely. 'She convinced me to try it. So I went to my first meeting, and I got the warmest welcome I could have imagined. 'I never thought it would have been like that. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. 'I changed what I was eating, and now for breakfast I ate overnight oats with yoghurt, then chicken, eggs and Ryvita for lunch or a tuna pasta, followed by homemade spaghetti bolognaise for dinner. 'They taught me how to cook better and from scratch and for the first time in my life, the pounds started falling off me.' Slimming World encourages dieters to swap high-fat foods for low-fat foods that are naturally filling. They have a 'Syn Free' list of foods that can be eaten in unlimited amounts, and 'Syns' which need to be limited per day. Leigh-Ann says: 'It's all about food optimising. 'Slimming World teaches you how to take control and make better choices. 8 8 8 'You can also make fakeaways or lower Syn versions of your favourite foods. 'It's such a good lifestyle, eating great food and losing weight - what more could you want?'. Leigh-Ann lost eight stone from 2019. 'Wayne has also lost almost five stone too, just by eating what I'm cooking for me,' she says. 'I make the same meals for both of us. So between us we have lost 12 stone. 'Wayne has suffered two strokes previously, so it has improved his general health no end. 'Now I have so much more energy, and I feel motivated every day. 'Our kids are so proud of me and they even enjoy the Slimming World recipes too. 'It took that marathon photo to change my life around - so I'm so glad that I entered. 'When I set off from the starting line, I never imagined that it would end up changing my life so much. 'And despite mum's worries, I'm so glad I did it, or else I wouldn't be where I am today.' Leigh-Ann hasn't run a marathon since 2018. 'But I would like to one day,' she says. 'And this time I wouldn't be ashamed of myself at the finishing line. And I'd be a lot fitter and mum wouldn't worry about me doing it.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
The coolest running events around the world, from Andes ultra marathons to Italian parkruns
To hit the ground running, little equipment or kit is needed. Team this up with the social aspects of run clubs and park runs, plus the mental and physical health benefits, and it's not surprising there has been a vast uptick in people pulling on their running shoes. From couch-to-5k schemes, to runs across the entire length of Africa, it's a community that thrives in a challenge and taking part in events. This year, a record-breaking number of runners crossed the finish line at the London Marathon, an event that captivates the nation every year, and inspires many to take up the sport. For some, a jog around the local park won't cut it. These runners need to go big and are willing to travel around the world to put themselves through their paces in global events. Known as 'running tourism', this new breed of active holiday often spotlights overlooked destinations, offering an entirely new perspective on a place. Sometimes runners will travel to take part in a particular prestigious race, like the Boston Marathon or UTMB. In other cases, it's to experience running across a whole new lanscape, such as across the Sahara Desert or through Patagonia's peaks. And you don't have to be a seasoned runner to enjoy this sort of holiday. Plenty of events offer shorter distances, including 5k and 10k races, and even runs for children. We've rounded up some of the coolest events around the world to seek that runners' high, while also getting to experience amazing landscapes. 1. PolarNight Marathon and Midnight Sun Marathon Tromsø, Norway Its extreme location 200 miles north of the Arctic circle means Tromsø has seasons like no other. From November to January, the city descends into full darkness, while it experiences full hours of sun between May and July. The city's two marathons offer runners from around the world the opportunity to embrace a unique climate. The PolarNight Marathon is a chance to run beneath the Northern Lights, or you can opt to run in the slightly bewildering constant daylight (even when it's actually nighttime) as the sun never sets at this time of year, during the Midnight Sun Marathon. With shorter distances available, this is a novel way to immerse yourself in the area's beauty. Where to stay Right on the water, from Clarion Hotel The Edge, you can take in the views over the Tromsøysundet strait both from your bedroom and rooftop terrace bar. As its walking distance from many attractions, you can slip out easily to enjoy the rest of Tromsø post-race. 2. Man V Horse Marathon, Powys, Wales As the name suggests the Man V Horse puts runners up against horses (and their riders) in a marathon across the rough terrain of Powys in mid-Wales. Founded in 1980, the idea for the race was curiously sparked up after a landlord overheard a conversation at a pub suggesting that at a great distance, any man is equal to a horse. It was only after 25 years of the race that this point could be proven as Huw Lobb clipped his equine challenger to the finish with a time of two hours and five minutes. Set within rich green hills, combine the race with a break exploring the region steeped in Welsh history and arts. Found in Llangammarch Wells, The Lake Country House Hotel and Spa is a Welsh country retreat with lavishly furnished rooms. Relax and ease achy your muscles in its swimming pool and sauna after tackling the hills. 3. Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc, Médoc, France Combining 'wine, sports, fun and health', the Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc doesn't take itself too seriously. From the start line near Bordeaux, the route takes runners through 59 vineyards where they are encouraged to sample the local wine and local specialties from oysters to steak, all while wearing compulsory fancy dress. With a focus on enjoyment, it's an event for all running levels. La Maison Reverdi is a historic guest house with boutique features, a small pool and a terrace. Fuel up before the marathon at the selection of delicious pastries served at breakfast. 4. Parkrun, Lucca, Italy Since the very first in London's Bushy Park in 2004, parkrun has gone global, with volunteer-led 5k events now taking place every weekend in 22 countries. This worldwide movement has given rise to a niche community of 'parkrun tourists' – dedicated runners who travel the world to tick off locations and meet fellow enthusiasts. Among the many locations now to choose from, Lucca in Italy is often heralded the most special. In Italy's Tuscan region, the fortified city is famed for its well-preserved Renaissance ramparts, which encircle the historic centre. Parkrunners swing around the tree-lined pathways atop of these medieval walls, enjoying privileged views of the city and a backdrop of the Apuan Alps and Pisan Mountain Range. With rustic furnishings, exposed walls and medieval features, embrace Lucca's historic charm at Luxury Corte Di Re Artù. The elegant four-poster beds are a dream to wake up in before taking on the parkrun. 5. Meridian Hydro Half Marathon, Te Anau, Fiordland New Zealand Home to massive fjords, snow-clad mountains, and dramatic waterfalls, the Meridian Hydro Half Marathon is a unique way to embrace the spectacular beauty of Fiordland, New Zealand. Beneath the shadow of the magnificent Mount Titiroa, the route snakes through beech forest and alongside the crystal clear Waiau River finishing at the stunning Te Anau lake. Passing Tui Bay and the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, spotting New Zealand's native birds, a takahē and kākā, offer an interesting running distraction. It's an inclusive and community-focused event, and all the money raised is dedicated to the preservation of the trail. On the banks of Lake Te Anau, Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments, unsurprisingly, offers stunning views and is within walking distance to Te Anau town centre. It's an ideal spring-board to explore the beautiful national park. 6. The Cabbage Marathon Tsumagoi Village, Gunma, Japan As one of Japan's main producers of cabbages, Tsumagoi Village celebrates its agricultural heritage with its unique half marathon. The route takes runners from Lake Baragi at the base of Mount Azumaya, through lush cabbage fields, and past Aisai no Oka or The Hill of the Beloved Wife – a point steeped in romantic legend, where visitors cry out their declarations of love. Fittingly in a village whose name means 'love for wife', the event embraces the romantic spirit by encouraging participants to enter as couples or as parent-child pairs. And if scenery and sentiment aren't enough – every runner goes home with Tsumagoi Highland cabbage and a cabbage cooler bag to keep it safe. Where to stay In neighbouring Kusatsu Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Village is a serene retreat with indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, as well as saunas and pools. Hire a hotel bike to cycle around the mountainous green surroundings while giving your feet a deserved break. 7. Reverse London Marathon, London As one of the most iconic running events in the world, a ballot ticket to the London Marathon is one of the most-sought after. With a record-breaking 1.1 million entries for the race in 2026, the competition has never been more fierce. So if you, like many others, can't break past the spectator barriers, why not join the keen group who go out the night before and run it in reverse? Starting at midnight, the runners use the very course laid out for the morning but set off from Central London between 2am and 4am to the finish line at Greenwich. It's free to join the group who are now in their hundreds. Bright, modern and well-equipped Staycity Greenwich is ideally placed in the city to watch the marathon the following morning. After the excitement, explore the cultural offerings on the hotel's doorsteps like the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum. 8. Aconcagua Ultra Trail, Mendoza, Argentina Set beneath the towering Mount Aconcagua – the highest peak in the world outside the Himalayas – this ultra marathon is a true test of physical and mental endurance. The Aconcagua Ultra Trail begins at over 2,500m above sea level and climbs to dizzying heights of 4,000m. Its rugged out-and-back route offers a unique way to experience the raw beauty of the Argentine Andes. Due to the challenging weather, lack of oxygen and gnarly hills, the event should generally only be attempted by experienced runners. Where to stay W&H Casa de Huéspedes is right in the action, so you can experience of the best bits of Mendoza's food and cultural life after recovering from your run. Its minimalistic décor compliments the city's relaxed cosmopolitan vibe while contrasting with the rugged adventure of the Andes.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Finishing seven marathon challenge 'emotional' for Peel runner
A Peel runner who completed seven marathons in a week raising £3,700 for the RNLI said he felt a sense of "jubilation" on finishing the Rice ran a marathon each day between 17 and 23 May, racking up an overall distance of 183 miles (295km) and a combined elevation of 35,000 feet (10,668 metres).Completing the challenge in a total of 39 hours, with an average time of five and a half hours for each, which comprised five laps of Peel Hill ending at Peel Lifeboat 57-year-old gardener said completing the last marathon was "very emotional". With about 100 people cheering him on at the end, Geoff said: "As I was running down the hill I could see quite a few people gathering at the bottom, it was very emotional and just a good feeling to get it done.""The weather was not on my side as it was hot [and] I think the heat got to me." But he said aside from that, and picking up blisters on the third day, the week went "smoothly".He said he knew that physically and mentally he was strong enough as "a lot of it was down to discipline and keeping to the game plan".In the last few days of the challenge, about 20 people ran alongside him for portions of the course, which he said was a great help."You needed the support, there were a lot of times where I wish I had someone to talk to as the sheep weren't saying much," he said while it was "difficult to comprehend" the distance that he had run, he was "absolutely buzzing" and "still on cloud nine now".Having chosen to raise money for the RNLI he said he wanted to "put something back into the community"."I respect what the lifeboats have done," he added. RNLI community manager for the Isle of Man Dani Beckett said it was an "incredible achievement" and an "epic fundraising challenge".It was "inspiring that people believe in our mission and come up with such creative, and challenging ways to raise the vital funds we need to continue our work", she of Peel Lifeboat Station Stuart Blackley, who cheered Geoff on each day, said the funds would go towards safety equipment for the western branch of the RNLI. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How this marathon runner has spared 900,000 disposable cups from landfill
Kristina Smithe was running the California International Marathon in 2019, grabbing cups of water to stay hydrated, when she started to think about how much waste such events produce. On the flight home, she did the math: 9,000 runners, 17 aid stations, and something like 150,000 cups used once and thrown away. 'I was just shocked that, even in California, it's not sustainable,' Smithe said. That sparked her idea for something more durable—a lightweight, pliable silicone cup that could be used again and again. After working out a design, Smithe ordered her first shipment and tested them at a race in 2021. Now her business, Hiccup Earth, has 70,000 cups that Smithe rents out to interested races to replace the typical white paper cups that can pile up like snowdrifts at busy water stops. Billions of disposable cups are used around the world each year. These cups are often made of plastic, but even if they are made of paper, they typically have a plastic lining that makes it difficult for them to biodegrade. And making these cups, and disposing or burning them, generates planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. 'That's just a small subset of the amount of plastic waste that we produce, but it's a pretty visible one,' said Sarah Gleeson, solutions research manager and plastics waste expert at climate nonprofit Project Drawdown. 'It's something that generates a lot of waste, and waste—depending on what exactly it's made of—can really last in landfills for hundreds of years.' As she was getting her business off the ground, Smithe emailed race directors to ask if their event used disposable cups. 'The answer was always yes,' she said. Her response: 'If you're looking for a sustainable solution, I have one.' Now, she rents out the cups by the thousand, driving them to events in massive totes and leaving bins with the company logo for collection after use. Smithe picks up the used cups and washes them in a proprietary dishwasher. At the PNC Women Run the Cities race in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, in early May, Smithe helped quench the thirst of thousands of runners, dropping off 17-gallon tote bags full of her flexible blue cups. After that race, Smithe, 35, estimated she's taken her cups to 137 races and spared 902,000 disposable ones from the landfill. She also says her washing process needs only 30 gallons (114 liters) of water per 1,500 cups. An average efficient household dishwasher uses three to five gallons (11 to 19 liters) for far fewer dishes. 'It's just a solution to a problem that's long overdue,' Smithe said. One trade-off is that the cup rentals cost race directors more than other options. Disposable cups might run just a few cents each, while 10,000 Hiccup cups would rent for about 15 cents each. That price drops if more cups are needed. Gleeson, of Project Drawdown, sees the reusable cups as just one of many ways that innovators are looking to cut down on waste. Such solutions often have to be rooted in convenience and grounded in local or small applications to get more people to adopt them. Some cities, for instance, are experimenting with reusable food takeout containers that customers return to nearby drop-off spots later on. While no one solution can fully tackle the problem, 'The scalability is there,' Gleeson said. 'I think in general, high adoption of these kinds of solutions is what is able to bring costs down and really maximize environmental benefits that you could get.'
