When Joe Welton secured a ballot place for the London Marathon, it felt personal.
London is home. The streets are familiar. The race is iconic. But this year, the 26.2 miles mean something far deeper than a finish line.
It’s about his sister.
“My sister lives with severe ME and is now bedbound,” he says. “I’ve seen firsthand what this illness does – not just the exhaustion people associate with it, but the complete loss of independence, autonomy, and quality of life.”
For many, ME is misunderstood as simply being “very tired.” The reality is far more devastating. Severe ME can strip away the ability to work, to socialise, even to manage basic daily tasks. It doesn’t just affect the individual: it reshapes entire families.
That is why Joe is running to fundraise in aid of ME Research UK.
“This is not a niche condition. It affects millions globally, yet it’s still misunderstood and chronically underfunded.
“People often disappear quietly from workplaces and communities as their health declines.”
As a trustee of ME Research UK, Joe is passionate about advancing rigorous biomedical research and bringing greater awareness into the corporate world. With a background in business and technology, he believes we are at a pivotal moment for science.
Training for the marathon has deepened his perspective on health. Now 19 weeks into a 26-week block, running 65 to 70 kilometres a week, Joe has navigated setbacks, including an ankle injury, while balancing a new job.
“I have far greater respect for illness and recovery now,” he says. “I can train for 26.2 miles and recover. Someone with severe ME can complete two or three basic tasks and be left profoundly debilitated. The contrast is hard to comprehend unless you’ve seen it.”
“For many living with severe ME, every day is an endurance event.“
Joe’s JustGiving page is now live, and he hopes friends, colleagues and the wider network will support his run. But above all, he wants people to look closer.
“There is almost certainly someone in your extended network affected by ME. They may have stepped back quietly from work or social life.”
“This marathon is 26.2 miles for me,” Joe says. “For people living with severe ME, every day demands more than most of us can imagine. If this run helps drive awareness, funding and research.
“It will be worth every mile.”
