Brave Lorraine fights cancer to clock up 100 parkruns

Nelson runner Lorraine Broadhurst will chalk up 100 parkruns in October – all while she battles incurable ovarian cancer.
Lorraine Broadhurst  (s)Lorraine Broadhurst  (s)
Lorraine Broadhurst (s)

Lorraine (45) has been completing the Pendle parkruns, which start near Holt House, after she moved to the area from Hampshire and then Manchester following her diagnosis with cancer in 2011.

She is nine away from the milestone of a ton and wants to shout about it to highlight the value of the parkruns, which are a 5km non-competitive free event which take place all over the country on Saturday mornings, and also raise awareness of the organisation Target Ovarian Cancer.

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Lorraine explained: “I already did the parkruns while I lived in the south but started feeling out of sorts. I had gone off my food, kept getting stomach ache and feeling sick.

Lorraine Broadhurst  (s)Lorraine Broadhurst  (s)
Lorraine Broadhurst (s)

“I felt bloated and went to see my GP. I saw a poster about Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and realised I had the symptoms – it was the first time I considered it could be something serious.

“I had blood tests, fluid drained from my stomach and a CT scan. I was referred to The Christie and found to have low grade ovarian cancer.

“It’s not curable because it’s quite advanced and will grow slowly.

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“There are days when I feel sad and angry as I have had to give up my job as a transport planner and I have also moved from Hampshire to the north to be with my family but I love living in Pendle now.

“And I do look at what I have gained. I love to run, it’s more challenging now, but the parkruns have become even more special to me because they are so inclusive.

“I know no matter how long I take there will be someone there at the finish waiting for me. I do what I can to stay healthy, raise awareness and raise money for Target Ovarian Cancer, who have done so much for me.”

Lorraine, who is having chemotherapy but will take a break from treatment while she completes her feat, reached 90 parkruns and then planned the final 10 to include places she used to live, where her family live and which mean a lot to her. She will chalk up the milestone of 100 at her favourite run, Pendle, on October 31st.

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“I am also supporting my friend Carl Jenkinson who is doing his first Great North Run next month - we became friends through running - for Target Ovarian Cancer,” said Lorraine.

“His fundraising target was £500 and we have reached that and now we want to raise £1,000 as well as raise awareness of ovarian cancer and promote parkrun events.

“I am hoping to complete my 100th parkrun on the October 31st and I am currently nine parkruns away, starting this weekend.

“I have already ticked off Halifax last weekend and the schedule for the final ones are: Witton Park, South Manchester, Newcastle, Daventry, Basingstoke. Keswick, Plymouth, Bolton, Burnley and then my 100th will be Pendle. I love the Pendle countryside.

“Cancer will cut my life short - I just want to make the most of what time I have.”

Lorraine and Carl’s just giving page is www.justgiving.com/Team-Jenkinhurst