If you’d told me, not so many years ago, that I’d one day stand at the finish line of the Abbott World Marathon Majors as the first person with COPD to complete all six races, I might have laughed—and then caught my breath. But here I am, writing these words not just as a finisher, but as a firm believer that a diagnosis does not define our destiny.
Running for Those Who Can’t
Every step I take with COPD is a testament to possibility. I didn’t set out on this journey seeking personal glory. I set out to raise awareness for the millions living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease around the world—those whose voices often go unheard, and whose struggles are hidden behind closed doors. Each marathon was a tribute to those who can’t lace up their shoes, who face each day with courage even as their breath grows short. I ran for them, and with them in spirit.
A Challenge, and an Opportunity
As the years have passed and my disease has progressed, I’ve had to adapt. My backpack now carries a portable oxygen concentrator, a constant companion supplying the oxygen my lungs can’t always provide. Some see this as a limitation—I see it as another starting line. Carrying that extra weight, adjusting to new rhythms, it’s simply the next challenge in a life shaped as much by resilience as by diagnosis.
Running remains my favourite pastime. The feeling of pounding the pavement, heart racing, world unfolding with each stride—it’s freedom. The oxygen concentrator doesn’t slow me down; it just changes the logistics. I take this not as a setback, but as proof that where there’s will, there’s a way to keep moving forward.
Movement is Medicine
I’m a passionate advocate for pulmonary rehabilitation and the power of movement. Exercise won’t cure COPD, but it can help you reclaim your life from it. Pulmonary rehab teaches strategies to manage symptoms and build strength—tools I use every day, whether I’m running a marathon or walking down the street. I encourage every person with COPD to pursue movement, however you can. Every small victory counts.
We Are Not Our Diagnosis
Too often, people with COPD are told what they can’t do, not what they might achieve. I refuse to be boxed in by a label. Yes, I have COPD. Yes, some days are harder than others. But I am also an athlete, an advocate, and—more than anything—a believer in the strength and spirit of this community.
If you’re reading this and you have COPD, know this: you are not alone, and your possibilities are far from exhausted. The finish line is just another beginning, and every challenge is a chance to show yourself what you’re truly capable of.
Final Thoughts
The Abbott World Marathon Majors were never just about medals or records. For me, they are about hope, visibility, and the unwavering conviction that we can all go further than we think. If my journey inspires even one person to take that first step—whether it’s around the block or across a finish line—I’ve succeeded.
Keep moving. Keep fighting. The road ahead is long, but it’s ours to run.