Farmers braced for gruelling marathon challenges

Farmers from across the UK are lacing up their running shoes and preparing to tackle marathons in London and Manchester this weekend, all in support of vital farming charities.

From seasoned marathoners to first-time competitors, these farmers are pushing their limits to raise funds for causes such as mental health support for farming communities and agricultural development in Africa.

With months of training behind them, they’re ready to take on the challenge and make a difference through their efforts.

See also: New ‘Walk in the Park’ event to support wellbeing in agriculture

Lincolnshire arable farmer and runner Charles Anyan will be tackling the Manchester Marathon for a fourth time – his six marathon in total, all of which he has run in less than four hours.

Charles has recorded 792 miles in this training block, mainly running around Springthorpe, but including barefoot running on Bondi Beach in Australia and a bit of fell running, too.

He has enjoyed prep races at the Stamford Striders 30k and Sheffield Half Marathon, where he clocked 98.04, shaving four minutes and 18 seconds off his previous best.

Charles is running to raise funds for the Farming Community Network (FCN), a farming charity that provides confidential support and guidance to farmers and their families facing challenges such as mental health issues, financial hardship, and the pressures of rural life.

“I’m proud to be an FCN ambassador,” he says.

“Wearing the FCN vest and knowing I’m raising vital funds for this wonderful charity gives me a bit more oomph to my running.

“I’m really grateful to everyone who has sponsored me over the years and offered encouragement.

“In truth, people sponsor you for the 20-mile prep run three weeks before when there’s no support and there’s just you on the road feeling the pain.”

Charles’s love for running has helped him shed an impressive six stone, dropping from 17st five years ago to 11st 3lbs.

Since November 2020, he has run a half-marathon distance (13.1 miles) every month.

Asked how he fits his running in alongside a busy farming schedule, he says: “I don’t have distractions. I have got a wonderful partner, Julie Dimishky, who is also a runner.

“Even during harvest I go out early for a run. I do an hour of exercise every day, whether it’s 6am or 11pm.”

We Are Farming Minds supporter

Ali Parker, NFU Herefordshire county adviser, is running the London Marathon to raise funds for We Are Farming Minds, a charity tackling mental health and rural isolation in farming communities.

Ali, who turned 30 at the start of April, has so far raised more than £13,000 for the cause.

Ali Parker © NFU

Those wishing to donate can do so on her Just Giving page.

“The donations are keeping me going and reminding me who I am doing this for,” she says.

The charity saw a 51% rise in counselling referrals in 2024, highlighting the growing need for support.

Farm Africa runners

Hertfordshire farmer and former NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts is once again running the London Marathon for Farm Africa, having completed the race in 2017.

Those wishing to sponsor him can do so on his Just Giving page.

The charity helps farmers in sub-Saharan Africa increase productivity and improve their livelihoods.

Stuart spoke of his passion for the cause, saying: “Their work in farming communities is incredible, and any help is enormously appreciated.”

Jake Richards, a farmer’s son from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, is also running the London Marathon to raise funds for Farm Africa. He can be sponsored via his Just Giving page.

His parents, Kate and Peter Richards, are arable and sheep farmers based at Lawshall, near Bury St Edmunds.

Jake is an agriculture sustainability manager at Sainsbury’s, a role he has held since 2022.

Prior to joining Sainsbury’s, he worked as a county adviser and sugar beet specialist for the NFU in Essex and East Anglia from 2019 to 2022.

He said: “I run a little bit now and again, but a marathon is very much out of my comfort zone and not something I agree to do lightly.

“I am hugely appreciative of any support you’re able to give whether that be moral, financial or a combination of the two.”