RUH nurse runs solo marathon on Bath hospital grounds
Sam Meaden's RUH26 aims to raise funds for RUHX charity and Dorothy House hospice
Bath nurse Sam Meaden is set to complete a unique marathon challenge entirely within hospital grounds.
The 'RUH26' will see Sam, an Accident & Emergency nurse from Trowbridge, running 26 loops around the hospital perimeter, at the same time as the London Marathon.
Sam, who trained at RUH Bath and has worked there since 2024, aims to raise £2,000 for RUHX, the official NHS hospital charity, and Dorothy House hospice, where his mother was cared for before her passing in 2025.
Reflecting on his challenge, Sam shared: “I ran the London marathon in 2025 and after not getting in for 2026 I turned my disappointment of not getting in to do it again into the 'RUH26'.
"I'm now set to attempt to do a marathon without leaving the RUH grounds. Fully flexing my capacity to make unwise decisions. A loop around the Royal United Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RUH) will take you just over a mile. Do that 26 times and you have yourself a marathon!”
The challenge holds personal significance for Sam, as he notes the exceptional care his mother received at Dorothy House Hospice.
“Very recently, after a short battle with cancer my mum was able to pass very peacefully here. The medical and nursing staff here were fantastic with both mum and her family and friends.
"My mum could not speak highly enough about her short time here - and neither can her people. It is an incredible place which you don't want to have to be, but grateful you are.”
Supporters are invited to cheer Sam on and witness his marathon run along the hospital grounds on the same day as the London Marathon, starting at 9.30am.