Flawed Hero Marathon 2025 - Maddie's Journey!

Dear friends, family, and benevolent strangers with internet access,

Brace yourselves—I, Maddie Byway, 36 years young (yes, young!), am embarking on the wildest adventure of my life. No, I’m not climbing Everest or taming wild animals (yet!)—I’m running my FIRST EVER MARATHON! The Flawed Hero Marathon, to be precise, on April 27, 2025.

This isn’t your typical marathon where people run in broad daylight with cheering crowds. Oh no, this is the Flawed Hero way—we kick off at MIDNIGHT in Letchworth Garden City. That’s right, while the rest of you are snuggled in your cosy beds, dreaming of brunch and fluffy kittens, I’ll be running 26.2 miles fuelled by sheer determination and copious amounts of caffeine.

But why, you ask? Why would a reasonably sane person voluntarily run for hours in the middle of the night? Well, it’s all for two incredible causes: Pancreatic Cancer UK and the Flawed Hero Movement CIC. Pancreatic cancer is a relentless disease, and the stats are devastating—half of those diagnosed don’t survive beyond three months. We need more research, more awareness, and more hope.

And let’s not forget the Flawed Hero Movement, which celebrates life’s imperfections—perfect for someone like me, who will undoubtedly stumble, sweat, and possibly cry somewhere around mile 18.

My personal goal? To cross that finish line in under 5 hours. My secret weapon? Pure stubbornness. Will I make it? Who knows—but I’m willing to risk some epic blisters to find out.

This is where YOU come in. I need your support! Every donation you make will not only inspire me to keep going (even at 3 a.m.), but it will also fund critical research and programs that save lives. Whether it’s £5, £50, or the cost of my future post-marathon therapy, every penny counts.

To make it more fun (and personal), I’ve decided to dedicate each of the 16 laps I’ll run during the marathon to a donor who gives £50 or more. If you’re one of those generous souls, let me know, and I’ll run that lap in your honor (yes, I’ll even shout your name into the night if I have the energy!). The 16th lap is reserved for me, as I’ll also be donating £50 to the cause

Let’s turn my midnight madness into a beacon of hope for those who need it most. And hey, if nothing else, donate so you can say you funded the world’s slowest, sweatiest night owl.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart—and my very tired feet!

Love,

Maddie ‍♀️✨

P.S. If you can’t donate, send snacks. I’ll need them.