A local man is getting ready to run the Asics British 10K London race in July, in order to raise money for a charity that helps support those who suffer from cluster headaches.
Ed Hodges has been suffering from the rare neurological condition for 13 years and this year will be the third year he has run for the Organisation for the Understanding of Cluster Headache (Ouch uk). Having come in just over the one hour mark in the last two years (1hr 4mins followed by 1hr 1 min), this year Ed is aiming to reach the finish line in under one hour.
Ed explained, “I was diagnosed with cluster headaches in 2007 however I have been suffering with them for 13 years. Cluster headaches are a rare neurological condition that affects 0.2% of the population. During an attack it renders me incapable of doing anything; it has affected my life and jobs and many people, doctors included, do not understand it.
“It is said that it is one of the most painful conditions known to humans; women have said it is worse than childbirth.”
The Asics British 10K London run will be held on Sunday 10th July, taking in many of London’s iconic sights including Hyde Park Corner, St James’ Palace, Nelson’s Column, St Paul’s Cathedral and Houses of Parliament. Much of the course is the same as the route which will be used for the men’s and women’s Olympic marathon courses in 2012.
Ed explained that the money he raises will be donated to the Ouch UK charity, which raises awareness of the disorder and supports those who have the condition or families of sufferers. “The charity heavily relies on this as its main fundraiser, it cannot survive on membership fees alone,” said Ed.
You can sponsor Ed by visiting his sponsorship page: http://uk.virgin moneygiving.com/eds10kouchrun
Ouch (UK) exists to raise general awareness of the condition within the medical profession and the general public. They offer support and guidance to sufferers and their families and work closely with the Institute of Neurology in London where their patron, Professor Peter Goadsby, runs the headache group.
The group conducts clinical and laboratory-based research into the mechanisms and management of headache syndromes. Their main inte-rests are in migraine and the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, including cluster headache. The group is widely acknowledged to be amongst the foremost clinical/translational groups in headache in the world.
