Girl with hypothyroidism runs 10 races in memory of her granddad

A granddaughter who suffers from an underactive thyroid triumphed over her condition to tackle ten 5K races over ten weeks in memory of her beloved granddad.
Alice Lowe, 21, completed 10 5K races in memory of her grandad Brian LawrenceAlice Lowe, 21, completed 10 5K races in memory of her grandad Brian Lawrence
Alice Lowe, 21, completed 10 5K races in memory of her grandad Brian Lawrence

Alice Lowe, 21, from Tring is being treated for hypothyroidism, which means her thyroid does not produce enough hormones, leaving her feeling lethargic and achy.

The Sheffield Hallam university student was devastated when her grandfather, Brian Lawrence, passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Eve last year – just five days after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

She said: “He was very important to me, so for him Idecided to run Cancer Research’s Race For Life at Waddesdon Manor.

“But I thought one race didn’t seem like enough to respect him properly and I know he would have said that 5K is pathetic!”

So between May and July, Alice ran nine more races including Newbury, High Wycombe and Stevenage, and has raised more than £1,300 for Cancer Research UK.

Alice’s mum Tracy and dad Andrew greeted their daughter at the finish line of her final race in St Albans on July 26 in the pouring rain, along with her extended family.

Tracy said: “Alice is not a runner and every race has been hard work.

“Her hypothyroidism meant all of the races proved even more of a challenge.”

Alice, who enjoyed her first lie in last Sunday after ten early starts in a row, said: “Cancer does not respect age, fitness or anyone for that matter so pease give anything you can for this amazing cause.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/alicelowe02/

Professor Charles Swanton at the charity’s London Research Institute is aiming to conquer lung cancer through the TRACERx study, a pioneering project that will examine exactly how lung cancers change, adapt and become resistant to treatments.

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