Southwark architect running 33 marathons in a year to mark 30 years since his diabetes diagnosis
BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slp.co.uk
An architect has set himself the challenge of running 33 marathons this year – one for each year of his life so far – to raise funds for Diabetes UK.
Harry Leung, 33, from the Old Kent Road, Peckham, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was three years old and decided to take on the challenge this year to mark the 30th anniversary of his diagnosis.
Harry re-discovered his love of running during lockdown, trained last year and started his “33 marathons in 2022” challenge on January 1.
He has already completed the first and second marathons – of 26.2 miles each – one along the Thames path and the other in Milton Keynes where he spent much of his childhood.
And he has already raised half his £3,322 target.
He is also raising money for the Vitiligo Society, after being diagnosed with that condition, which alters skin colour, three years ago.
Harry is running many of the marathons on his own but is also signing up to organised events and is hoping to get a place in the London Marathon this year.
He has also signed up for the Cambridge Boundary Run Marathon, the Manchester marathon, the Milton Keynes Marathon, and the Edinburgh Marathon races.
As well as Diabetes UK, Harry is also raising funds for the Vitiligo Society.
Harry said: “I wanted to mark the 30th anniversary of my diagnosis and also to raise funds for Diabetes UK which offers great help and advice.
“I don’t have many memories of being diagnosed with diabetes as I was so young, but I do have a lot of memories from my childhood, learning carb counting and learning how to inject myself at a young age.
“I feel very motivated. Some friends have said they will join me for part of a run but no-one has volunteered for a full marathon so far.
“Both charities are fantastic in educating the public and supporting people like myself in managing and living with the condition.”
Roz Rosenblatt, London Head of Diabetes UK, said: “Harry is going to great lengths to help us!
We wish him the best of luck this year and we are very grateful for all his efforts on our behalf.”
People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin. About 8 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it’s not to do with being overweight and it isn’t currently preventable.
Type 1 diabetes is treated by daily insulin doses – taken either by injections or via an insulin pump. It is also recommended to follow a healthy diet and take regular physical activity
Harry’s JustGiving page is here – 33 Marathons in 2022 fundraising on JustGiving
Picture: Harry Leung
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