Putting down the stethoscope, lacing up the trainers

21st July 2026
Vet Sinéad Short

Local Vet Sinéad will be swapping stethoscopes for trainers as she takes on the Dartmoor Marathon

Local vet Sinéad Short will be swapping her stethoscope for her trainers next weekend, as she takes on the Dartmoor Marathon in memory of her father.

Some may recognise Sinéad’s face, as she runs Ocean City Vets in Plymstock, managing the business and working full time as a clinician. She describes how she spends most days with pets and their owners from the local area, fulfilling her lifelong passion of working with animals.

Taking place on Sunday 12 April, the marathon will see Sinéad – originally from Yelverton –  taking on the stunning, yet rugged landscapes of Dartmoor, all while raising money for St Luke’s.

Sinéad will be lacing up alongside her husband Harrison, neither of which have run a marathon before, so this will be a major challenge for the pair.

Vet Sinéad Short running

Running in memory of Dad

However, it will be the memory of her father that will be spurring Sinéad on. He sadly died back in 2022 after being diagnosed with colon cancer, followed by a severe complication during surgery. Sinéad recalls how St Luke’s made what was a truly difficult time that little bit easier.

“St Luke’s really helped our family whilst he was in hospital, and then towards the end when he was back at home. We had St Luke’s nurses come out to the house and help set up some palliative care, and he was scheduled to move to a bed at the specialist unit on the Monday morning, but passed away at home in the early hours of that morning.

“The St Luke’s team really cared for Dad and my family, doing everything they could to make him as comfortable as possible, and really filling a gap that we felt would have been missed without them.”

Vet Sinéad Short with photos of her father

Stepping outside the operating theatre

Sinéad’s passion is surgery, and she is happiest in the operating theatre, so training for a marathon has been a completely different kind of challenge. Before last summer, Sinead had never run further than 10 kilometres and had only previously taken part in the Plymouth 5km for Cancer Research several years ago.

Knowing that running did not come naturally to her, she began training in August, giving herself plenty of time to build up stamina and confidence. She has also found her training runs the perfect time for the pair to spend some quality time together away from work. She adds: “We have been spending our Sundays catching up on the week whilst doing our long run together. It helps to tire out the dog too!”

Inspired to run for St Luke’s?

If you have been inspired by Sinéad to don your trainers in aid of St Luke’s, then why not run right here in Plymouth and take on the Half Marathon at Plymouth Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival on Sunday 17 May. We will provide you with a St Luke’s running vest and will be there to cheer you on throughout.

To find out more about running for St Luke’s click here.

FAQs

  • When is the Dartmoor Marathon?

The Dartmoor Marathon takes place on Sunday 12 April 2026.

  • How do I donate to Sinéad?

You can support Sinéad by donating to her JustGiving page here.

  • How can I support St Luke’s?

If you are interested in running a race in aid of St Luke’s then you can find out more here.

Sinéad’s JustGiving page Run for St Luke’s

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