Suffolk Professor marks 50th birthday with 110km run in 24 hours for charity
A professor from Suffolk is marking her 50th birthday in a way that most of us would never dream of, by running 110 kilometres across Hadrian’s Wall in under 24 hours.
Professor Valerie Gladwell, who leads the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Suffolk, will tackle the Carlisle to Gateshead ultramarathon with her lifelong friend Julie on Saturday 14 June all to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice.
“This is definitely going to scare me,” Valerie told us, laughing. “I like to challenge myself every day, as Baz Luhrmann said, do something that scares you. This is certainly going to scare me.”
The run, which crosses rugged countryside along the iconic Hadrian’s Wall, is no small feat. It spans 70 miles and will see Valerie carrying 6kg of kit, including waterproofs, nutrition, and first aid supplies.
But she’s no stranger to endurance: Valerie has already completed three marathons, an Ironman, and even represented Great Britain at the 2023 European Triathlon Championships in Madrid, just two years after she first took up triathlon.
Even so, this one’s different.
“I’m running from one side of the country to the other. People probably know Hadrian’s Wall from Sycamore Gap, the tree that was cut down and inspired all that poetry. I’ll be running right through that landscape,” she said.
"The steps I’ll be taking are nothing compared to the challenges others face. "
Valerie’s motivation is more than just a personal challenge. She’s raising funds for St Elizabeth Hospice, a charity that has touched her life in a deeply personal way.
“They’ve supported friends and family of mine, including Chris and Rita, at some of the hardest times,” she said. “The steps I’ll be taking are nothing compared to the challenges others face. This is really my way of giving back.”
As part of her professional work, Valerie also collaborates with Dr Joe Sawyer, a consultant at the hospice, on research into improving end-of-life care.
“Care definitely needs more investment,” she said. “Not just to deliver it, but to research how to make it the best it can be.”
Running for joy, grit and snacks
Despite the scale of the challenge, Valerie’s attitude is full of joy.
“I could’ve gone to a spa for my 50th,” she joked. “But instead we’ve gone for the rain, the mud… all in one go! I mean, you could pay for a rain shower and mud bath, but we’ll be getting the real deal.”
And it’s not all suffering, she promises: “Unlike marathons, this event actually lets you eat properly! I’m going to enjoy the food stops and just treat it like a mad day out.”
She’s hoping to raise at least £2,000, but says every donation matters: “Even the smallest amount makes a huge difference. And when the going gets tough, it’ll be those kind words and messages that keep me going.”
Moving more in your own way
Through her work and research, Valerie’s long championed the power of physical activity — not just for fitness, but for wellbeing and longevity.
“Not everyone needs to run 110K, this is just what I love,” she said. “But even just getting off the sofa and moving a bit more can totally change your life. Quality of life improves when we move, even in small ways.”
As she prepares for the epic run in the hills of her native Northumberland, she says the best part is doing it with a friend she’s known since childhood.
“We’ve been friends since before I can remember, and this route is close to where I was born and brought up. It’s going to be tough, but also full of laughter. There are nearly a thousand people doing it, all of us mad together!”