EAST CHESHIRE Harriers’ Hayley Simpson is set to put her best foot forward in aid of the Believe and Achieve Trust at the 2024 London Marathon.
And it is all in the name of her friend Alex Williams, who died at the age of 18 in 2012 – 11 years after contracting meningitis.
The Stalybridge-based runner has been lucky enough to secure a place in the prestigious event, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 21.
She will join thousands of other runners in the capital, ranging across a whole spectrum of ages and abilities, to complete the 26.2-mile course in a bid to raise funds for a variety of worthy causes.
Hayley is no stranger to pushing herself to the limit, having racked up a number of impressive times in various cross country events.
She also completed the full Manchester Marathon in April in just over three hours 25 minutes, several other half marathons and finished first in the female division at the 2023 Mossley 10k on Sunday, July 16 in a time of 41 minutes 58 seconds.
A pivotal figure in the previous and ongoing success at East Cheshire Harriers, who are based on Richmond Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, Hayley coaches the club’s future stars and devotes much of her spare time at weekends to encourage youngsters at races.
Her love for running has also enabled her to reach a personal milestone of 50 Parkruns, at 24 locations, in June.
Thanking Hayley for choosing the charity, The Believe and Achieve Trust said: “We have had some amazing news.
“Alex’s friend Hayley Simpson has been awarded a place in the London Marathon and has chosen our charity to run for.
“Next year is the 10th anniversary for the charity so is a very special year for us, so to have our very first person to take part in the marathon for us means so much, and of course being Hayley is extra special.”
The Believe and Achieve Trust was established in memory of Alex and supports people in Tameside and the surrounding areas who have been affected by meningitis or those who need help to achieve in sport.