Sara Sheard (left) with her mum Gail

By KLTV Newsdesk –

Sara Sheard to mark her late mother’s 70th birthday with emotional endurance challenge across Yorkshire

A Yorkshire woman is preparing to run an epic 70 miles across some of the region’s most beautiful and rugged landscapes to honour her late mother and raise vital awareness of ovarian cancer.

Sara Sheard, originally from Hull and now living near Boston Spa, will take on the deeply personal challenge on Saturday 3 May 2025.

The run will mark what would have been her mother Gail Glave’s 70th birthday, who died from ovarian cancer just 11 days after her 60th.

A Journey of Remembrance and Resolve

Starting near Millington in East Yorkshire, Sara will follow the winding paths of the Yorkshire Wolds Way, before joining the coastal trail from Filey and finishing on Bridlington South Beach, a place filled with childhood memories and where her mother’s ashes were scattered.

The route is expected to take around 24 hours, involving strenuous climbs and running through the night.

Yet Sara is determined to complete the journey not just in tribute to her mum, but to draw attention to a disease she says is still widely under-recognised.

“Ten years has been too long without our amazing mum in our lives,” said Sara.

“Cancer has touched our family profoundly, and there is still far too little research and awareness about ovarian cancer.

“I’m running not just to celebrate my mum’s memory but to push for greater awareness and funding for this devastating disease”.

A Survivor Running for Change

At 45, Sara brings remarkable personal strength to the challenge. A breast cancer survivor, she was diagnosed at the age of 32 and later discovered she carried the BRCA gene.

As a preventive measure, she underwent elective ovarian removal surgery to reduce her own risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Despite already having completed a 62-mile ultramarathon, Sara admits this challenge will be even more demanding, both physically and emotionally.

“Bridlington South Beach holds many special memories of days out with my mum since I was a baby.

“Finishing this challenge there, surrounded by loved ones, will be incredibly poignant,” she said.

Community Support and a Meaningful Finish

Sara currently works as Executive Director of Business Operations at Bradford-based housing provider Incommunities.

She hopes her efforts will inspire others to talk more openly about ovarian cancer and support research into early diagnosis and prevention.

Friends, family, and members of the public are encouraged to cheer her on and join her at a celebratory breakfast on Bridlington South Beach at 6 am on Sunday 4 May, where she’s expected to complete the final steps of her journey.

Donations and messages of support can be made through Sara’s fundraising page for Ovarian Cancer Action.