An online fitness coach from Groby is preparing to tackle the ultimate physical and mental test, running a 48km ultramarathon in loving memory of his father. Joe Norton, 29, will push his body to the absolute limit to raise vital funds for LOROS Hospice. The ambitious route will see Joe run all the way from Leicester’s Uptonsteel County Ground at Grace Road to Nottingham’s iconic Trent Bridge.
What makes the feat even more remarkable is that the personal trainer had never run further than a modest 8km before embarking on this journey. While Joe spends his days helping clients transform their lives, his own personal training has always revolved around weightlifting in the gym rather than long-distance endurance. Taking on an ultra-marathon meant starting almost from scratch when his intensive 13-week training block began.
A tribute to his father
Now, driven by the memory of his dad and a determination to give back to LOROS, Joe is ready to turn months of sweat and sacrifice into a powerful tribute. Supporters across Leicestershire are rallying behind him as he prepares to swap the gym floor for the open road.
Joe said: “My dad demonstrated immense bravery and courage to undergo 12 sessions of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in the summer of 2024.
“I wanted to create a fitness challenge that was meaningful to me as well as being extremely ambitious.
“The route definitely represents that as dad and I watched Leicestershire play many times as well as visiting Trent Bridge for England matches.
From 5k runs to an ultramarathon
“Before I started training in mid-June my runs were usually 5k long. A half marathon distance felt a long way off, let alone an ultramarathon.
“I stopped playing football in my early 20s due to injuries so training for and then running the ultra is a huge test.”
“As an online fitness coach I’m always looking to motivate and inspire my clients to set goals that are aspirational. This is me doing exactly that!”
Fundraising and memories
Joe’s dad, Richard, spent more than a month at LOROS last summer before passing away on September 18. The run, which Joe will complete on Sunday, September 13, will take place a few days prior to the first anniversary of his dad’s passing.
Having launched a JustGiving page, it has already received a number of generous donations as Joe looks to raise in excess of £1,000 for LOROS Hospice. He is also documenting the ongoing training he completes as well as the run itself on his Instagram page @joenorton_training.
Joe added: “I’m grateful to say my dad was a best mate of mine and we shared lots of memories together including watching his beloved Leicester City lift the Premier League.
“Even for a Liverpool fan, that day lives long in my memory as I was able to share it with him.
“It’s devastating not to have the opportunity to make more memories like that with dad so I cherish that day along with many others, including our trips up to Anfield.
“Being a firm believer in trying to stay positive and making the best of situations however difficult they are, I know my dad would be immensely proud of my completing this challenge.
“I’ll also be raising money for a fantastic cause in LOROS. The staff at the hospice do a fantastic job making the most challenging of circumstances as comfortable as possible for patients and their families.”
For those wanting to read more about Joe’s story or make a donation, they can visit his JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/joe-norton-ultramarathon.
