Runners are a vital part of Meningitis Research Foundation’s work. With over 550 supporters estimated to take on a running event on Team MRF in the next year and racing to defeat meningitis every step of the way.
Running not only provides a rewarding opportunity to fundraise, with the combined donations from Team MRF runners set to exceed £600,000, it also provides a vital way for our incredible supporter to raise awareness of meningitis with their networks and further helping to save lives.
Because of our ever-growing running community, we are adding more events to help Team MRF supporters continue to race to defeat this devastating disease.
The Schneider Electric Paris Marathon, as one of the world’s biggest and most popular marathons is the latest addition to our range of events. Drawing runners from around the world to see the sights and raise millions for charities. It is a new event for Team MRF in 2025 and we are excited to be recruiting a team of runners to race to defeat meningitis in Paris with us.
The marathon itself combines personal challenge with incredible sightseeing. Covering the pavements of the French capital's most famous avenues and plazas, from the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, where you'll take the start, towards the Place de la Concorde. From the Rue de Rivoli you'll then sweep through the Opéra Garnier, the Place de la Bastille. After a glimpse of greenery in the Bois de Vincennes, views of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower point the way home to the finish.
Team MRF supporter, Cara Hyde completed the Paris Marathon in 2024 and spoke to us about why being part of the race was so important to her.
Why did you take on the Paris Marathon?
When I was 18, I lost my close friend Georgia to meningitis. We had just been away on a girl’s trip to Greece to celebrate the end of school. We’d had such a fun time and when we returned everything was fine. A few days later we were all supposed to go to our leavers celebration but Georgia missed it because she wasn’t feeling well. At first the doctors didn’t know what her illness was, until the rash appeared and she was rushed into hospital. We were all so shocked as she had been well a few days before. She passed away on her birthday.
I signed up the run the Paris Marathon in 2024. I’d got into running and had taken on a few half-marathons. I always wanted to take on an epic challenge and to raise money in honour of Georgia. My sisters were marathon runners, and I thought maybe I could do a marathon with them. We chose the Paris Marathon as it is an international race, and it is also very close to London by train or plane.
I am so glad I was able to do it, especially as I raised over £2,000 in Georgia’s memory.
Why did you choose to run as part of Team MRF?
As well as completing the Paris Marathon and raising funds, it was also important for me to raise awareness of meningitis so that people knew about the disease was and how to spot the symptoms. When Georgia died it was a huge shock - we didn’t know what meningitis was. To be able to share what I was doing and why, to help someone else know what meningitis is, was one of my main goals.
How was your training?
Whilst the training is a massive commitment, you get really fit and feel so good about what you are doing. You can quickly see the results of your training as you get fitter, can run for 3 hours and more.
What was the best part of the race?
The highlight was probably seeing my family four times on the way round, but also seeing Paris including the outskirts - there are some lovely big parks. The race is well set up for runners from the UK and it has lots of food and drink stops to keep you going. There is a lot of music along the course, especially in the tunnels, which were fun and had a really good vibe. Crossing the finish line was a definite highlight too, of course!
What did you find most challenging about the run?
I can’t lie, Paris is actually quite a hilly run over the 42km route, and the last 10k is an ongoing incline. That’s pretty tough when I also only trained to 34k. However, because it’s Europe the race was marked in km not miles like London, and I trained in km, so that was so useful to pass km markers every 5/ 6 mins or so!
What advice would you give to a first time Paris runner, is there anything you wish you had known before you took part?
My advice for anyone signing up for the Paris Marathon is to:
- train to over 34km more than once, take loads of sweets round with you
- make sure you incline train
- don’t worry if you slow down in the second half - it’s harder as it’s uphill, so take the time to enjoy it.
- Soak up the atmosphere – the support is of course mainly in French but running through the city and seeing the famous sights is really, really cool.
To find out more and register, visit https://www.meningitis.org/paris-marathon-2025
When: Sunday 13 April 2025
Reg Fee: £30
Sponsorship target: £1,000