I’m @ianyourruncoach on Instagram.

I’m 40 years old and in November 2024 I got diagnosed with Kennedy‘s disease after finding out that it was part of my family line. I’m a runner, a professional running coach and a former Great Britain age group triathlete.

When you’ve competed a relatively decent level to be told that something could be taken away from you that you love is devastating.

Whilst I’m not sure I’ve fully processed everything yet and I know this is going to be an interesting and challenging journey I’m now prepared to face it head on, rather than through fear like when I first found out.

I’m quite fortunate in that I’m asymptomatic (without symptoms) at the moment. But as someone who struggles with anxiety and OCD, there’s an added mental battle on top of the diagnosis and the potential physical and mental suffering that may ensue in future years.

As a runner of 23 years and someone who has been very active through sport all their life, I feel very lucky to have been able to do what I’ve done representing my country in two different sports.

A lot of my life has been based around competition. Over the last couple of years and particularly after the diagnosis my focus has really changed. I’m really grateful for and aware of my health. I’m grateful that I can currently run and be able to do marathons & triathlons, and I love engaging with others in sport.

My aim now is to enjoy sport more, as well as family, friends, and of course my health. I will be raising money for Kennedy‘s disease by running the Edinburgh Marathon this year with no particular time goal but just because I can I wanna go back to my roots when I was 19.

In my first long distance event I ran the London Marathon and I did it for fun and just because I could.

I completed it in just under five hours but had a brilliant time along the way engaging with the crowd, other runners and just feeling free.

Over the next few years, I’m going to look to raise as much money as possible to try and help push for treatment options and a cure for Kennedy’s disease.

Having chatted to the doctors & KDUK. I know that we’re not that far away and with the improvements in research and AI, I’m confident that we may see this in my lifetime.

My name is Ian. I’m a runner, a triathlete, a sports person, a son, a brother, a friend, and I want to help people enjoy living healthier, living longer, and being free of Kennedys disease.

I would love it if you could take some time and donate to Kennedy‘s disease UK today.

Click here & donate:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ian-scarrott-kduk?newPage=true