‘Finishing 52 half marathon for MND charity is a range of emotions’

A man who ran 52 half marathons to raise funds for those living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) described the experience as an “absolute range of emotions”.

Anthony Cox, from Gloucester, ran every Sunday through 2025 to support the MND Association after his wife Tina was diagnosed with the degenerative condition two years ago.

Mr Cox, a full time carer, has raised more than £2,000 for the charity.

Talking after his final run on Sunday, he said it was moving to see his wife’s face and all his friends who turned out to watch him cross the finish line.

MND affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord, which tell your muscles what to do. This leads them to weaken and stiffen over time and usually affects how you walk, talk, eat and breathe.

Mr Cox said there were challenges throughout the year, including running on days when he was not feeling well.

“I’ve carried on because people with MND have to carry on when they’re not feeling great so why should I be any different?

“Everyone came out to support us. I was taken aback by all the people who got out of bed on a Sunday morning to come and share this with me,” he added.

Jane Thorton, who trains with Mr Cox, regularly supported him with members of their running club Hucclecote Harriers.

“He’s been absolutely inspirational. He’s brought the full spirit of the harriers together… [each] Sunday,” she said.

Mrs Cox uses an electric wheelchair, and has been affected in her muscles and speech due to MND.

However on being asked what she thought of her husband’s efforts, she said they were “good”.