Every mile matters: Our Plymouth runners go the distance

19th May 2026/
Plymouth Half Marathon
  • Over 68 St Luke’s runners took part in Run Plymouth’s Ocean City Running Festival on Sunday 17 May 2026, taking on the Half Marathon and 10k and raising more than £32,000 for St Luke’s.
  • Each runner had a personal reason to take part, many honouring loved ones cared for by the hospice.
  • Funds raised will help St Luke’s continue providing compassionate end of life care across the community.

A proud day for Plymouth runners at the Ocean City Running Festival

It was a proud day for us in Plymouth yesterday as we had over 68 incredible runners taking on the half marathon and 10k in aid of St Luke’s.

It was a welcome sight to spot the vast amount of St Luke’s vests winding their way through the streets of the city under the sunny skies, with our runners having raised over £32,000 they really went the distance in supporting local hospice care.

We caught up with a few of them to hear the stories behind the miles.

St Luke's Plymouth runners

Some of our incredible St Luke’s runners

Meet Candice Hart

Candice Hart, from Bovisand, ran the Plymouth 10k in memory of her aunt, Susan, driven by both love and gratitude. “In October 2025 my Aunt Susan died of mesothelioma lung cancer,” she says. “We decided to run in her honour and raise funds for St Luke’s, who allowed her to pass away peacefully at home.”

Susan had lived an extraordinary life. A pioneering GP in Plymouth, she was also a passionate traveller and fundraiser, later turning her attention to creating a beautiful garden, initiating the annual open gardens event in Thurlestone.”

Candice and her niece Jessica

Candice Hart and her niece Jessica ran the 10k distance

“Her dying wish was to die at home overlooking her garden,” Candice explains. “St Luke’s hospice allowed her to do just this, visiting twice a day during her end of life care.”

Candice ran alongside her niece Jessica, while her nine-year-old daughter Laura completed the primary school challenge, completing her final mile on the Hoe. “When we said we were running for St Luke’s, Jess asked if she could be involved too,” Candice adds. “The compassion and care the St Luke’s nurses gave to Susan, have inspired our family to undertake the run to raise funds to allow other patients and family members, comfort during those final few weeks of life.”

You can support Candice and Jessica’s fundraising here. 

Candice's aunt Susan during her time at St Luke's

Candice’s Aunt Susan during her time being cared for by St Luke’s

Meet Nick, Mark, Alex, Neil and Oliver

Nick Green is one of our Trustees at St Luke’s and he took on the half marathon yesterday, alongside a group of four family and friends in memory of some special loved ones.

Nick was running with his brother Mark, they were both running in memory of their mum Shirley Roberts, who was a keen runner herself, even completing the London Marathon in 2012. Nick said: “Mum was much loved and we wanted to run this race in tribute to her and raise funds for the great team at St Luke’s who cared for her in the last days of her life.” They were also running in memory of their Gran’s husband John, who also received our care.

Nick and Mark were joined by Alex Mitchell who was running in memory of his mum Jessie, Neil Mitchell who was running on behalf of Jessie too as well as his Nan and two of his friends who were also cared for by St Luke’s, Dave Scott and Matt Reynolds and finally the youngest of the five runners Oliver Green who was running in memory of his grandparents.

You can support the group’s fundraising here.

Miles for Mum team

The ‘Miles for Mum’ team including St Luke’s Trustee Nick Green (right)

Meet John Hawkins

Sunday’s 10k race was just the beginning for John Hawkins, who used the event to kickstart his month long challenge of running 10k every day in memory of his Aunty Laura.

He explains: “Laura lived with MS for many years and was cared for compassionately by St Luke’s staff in the final weeks of her life. They focused on her wishes and her autonomy and I think she really appreciated this. Laura was a strong character and struggled with losing her independence. I think being listened to and supported to make decisions herself really helped her in those final weeks.”

John Hawkins running the Plymouth 10k

The complete distance John will be running is roughly the same as that between Plymouth and Birmingham. He completed Sunday’s run with his cousin and Laura’s son, Jack, making it even more meaningful.

Laura lived in Plymouth for most of her life and worked as a nurse before she had to retire due to the effects of MS. She leaves behind her two children Sarah and Jack, and her sister (John’s mum) Helen.

John adds: “Before her illness, Laura was a keen runner, in the 80s she’d run 3 miles a day, 5 days a week. This challenge is a way to honour her memory, alongside raising awareness and hopefully some funds for St Luke’s.”

You can follow John’s challenge here. 

John Hawkins Aunt

John Hawkins with his Aunty Laura

Our Community Fundraising team, consisting of Peter Ward, Sarah Wallis and Anna Parsons have been supporting our runners from when they first signed up. Sarah and Anna were down on the Hoe yesterday in our purple St Luke’s Gazebo. They said:

“On behalf of all the team at St Luke’s can we just say how incredibly proud we are of each and every one of our incredible runners. So many St Luke’s vests were out there on the streets and each one of them containing an inspirational person making a huge difference – without incredible heroes like you St Luke’s just wouldn’t be here. To all our runners, put those tired feet up, have a cup of tea and be proud.”

Thank you also goes to the team from Plymouth City College Sports Health and Rehabilitation Team who provided runners with some pre and post run leg and calf massages.

St Luke’s Anna and Sarah were cheering on our runners

If you have been inspired to run Plymouth next year, entries are now open for the half marathon and 10k on Sunday 16 May 2027. We’ll support you in your fundraising, provide you with a St Luke’s running vest and, of course, we’ll be there with you to share your big day, cheering you on and giving you encouragement when you need it most. Secure your spot for next year here.

If you are looking for even more miles, we have opened up applications to be one of our Gold Bond charity runners for London 2028. Find out more and apply for your spot here.

London Marathon ballot places get revealed this summer, so if you are successful for the 2027 ballot then we would love to have you on board the St Luke’s team.

If you have been inspired to run for St Luke’s, whatever the distance we would love to support you along the way. To find out more about the support we can offer you, please get in touch.

FAQs

How can I take part in Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival next year?

Entries for 2027 are open now you can register for the event here.

What support will I receive as a runner for St Luke’s?

By choosing to run for St Luke’s, we will provide you with a St Luke’s running vest, fundraising and training support and encouragement throughout your running journey.

What will the money I raise in sposnsorship go towards?

The money you raise will go to support our patient care, helping us to provide our compassionate care to our patients and their families at home and at our specialist unit at Turnchapel.

How can I run the London Marathon for St Luke’s?

If you are successful in the 2027 London Marathon ballot we would be honoured if you chose to fundraise for St Luke’s. We also have a limited number of Gold Bond charity places available for the 2028 event. To find out more about running in London for St Luke’s, click here. 

How do I sign up to run for St Luke’s?

To find out more about running for St Luke’s click here and let us know about your event.

Run for St Luke’s Sign up for next year

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