A North Wales criminal lawyer has started the countdown to a journey that will take her north to join a 60,000-strong throng of runners aiming to complete 13.1 miles for charity on 7th September.
Elzbeth Kenny, a Senior Solicitor with Wrexham based law firm, GHP Legal, who modestly describes herself as ‘not the fittest’, will be stepping out of her comfort zone to participate in the A J Bell Great North Run 2025 in support of a local hospice.
Started in 1981 and defined as ‘the world’s biggest and best half marathon’, The Great North Run follows a route from the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields each year, encouraging participants to fundraise, have fun, achieve a fitness goal and join ‘an amazing running community’.
Elzbeth, who has had a long and respected career in the specialist criminal law area of Magistrates’ court advocacy, is hoping to attract sponsorship and generate vital support for The Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Chester, in memory of her mother, Phyllis Kenny, who died of secondary breast cancer in 1995.
“The Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides extraordinary care to people living with life-limiting illnesses,” says Elzbeth, “as well as providing vital support to their families during the most difficult times.
“They do amazing work and as they are not part of the NHS, they rely solely on donations to keep going. I wanted to do something meaningful to help them continue that work, and as well as doing the Great North Run this year, I plan to do The Chester Marathon on 5th October 2026.”
Elzbeth started running for Wirral Harriers aged around eight years old and says she is normally a ‘fair weather runner’, but with encouragement from the Chester Road Runners and her good friend Natalie Rees who raises money for the same charity, she has recently become a more consistent runner.
“Natalie devised a 16-week programme for me,” she says, “and I have been running three times a week, focusing on leg weight training to build up strength. With Chester Road Runners we run all over North Wales, The Wirral and Cheshire - on pavements and roads, in fields and beside the Rivers Dee and Mersey, and along the canals.
“It has long been a dream of mine to take part in the Great North Run and to complete a marathon. Preparing for it all has been tiring, but also mentally and physically rewarding, not least because I will be raising money for the care of people who would love to be able just to walk, let alone exercise like I’m doing.
“I am also fortunate to have had a lot of my entry fees paid for by GHP Legal, the law firm I have been with for 22 years. As part of a healthy lifestyle initiative, they actively encourage staff involvement in charity sporting events, to build community spirit and social impact, and they make a point of publicly celebrating staff achievements.
“I really hope people will visit my fundraising page and donate, as even the smallest donation can make a huge difference – providing comfort, dignity, and precious time together for families in need. Please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/ellybekindtosomeoneday to support me and help The Hospice of the Good Shepherd.”