Dyffryn Man Runs Newport Half Marathon to Honor Father and Fight MND
Kurtis Olding, a 29-year-old resident of Dyffryn in the Vale of Glamorgan, is preparing to take on the ABP Newport Half Marathon to raise crucial funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. This heartfelt effort is in memory of his father, Gary Olding, who tragically lost his life to the disease in July 2025 at the age of 58.
Kurtis will be joined by his 26-year-old brother-in-law, Curtis, for the race, which is part of the larger ABP Newport Marathon Festival. Together, they have already generated over £2,000 in donations for the charity, with hopes that their fundraising total will continue to climb as race day approaches.
A Personal Battle with Motor Neurone Disease
Gary Olding was diagnosed with Bulbar Motor Neurone Disease in July 2024, a condition that severely weakens facial, throat, and tongue muscles. His symptoms first emerged in 2023, including slurred speech and muscle twitching, leading to extensive medical tests before the official diagnosis was confirmed.
Kurtis, who works as a supervisor and is a father to three-year-old Freya with another baby girl on the way, shared poignant memories of his dad. "My dad first started getting symptoms in 2023," he recalled. "He didn't talk much about it and took things day by day. Thankfully he didn't end up bed bound, but he lost his voice in the end and needed to communicate through hand signals, writing or texting."
Reflecting on the emotional toll, Kurtis added, "As much as we lost dad last July, we probably lost him the year before that. He was always the life and soul of any party, loved everyone getting together, playing music and especially hosting BBQs in the summer. He was a big sports fan and a huge family man. We are all glad that he didn't suffer for too long."
Inspired by a Legacy of Running and Sports
Gary was an avid runner, having completed multiple marathons and half marathons, participated in over 150 park runs, and even took part in a London to Cardiff relay twice. In his younger years, he also played rugby for Llandaff North. This passion for athletics inspired Kurtis to choose the Newport Half Marathon as his fundraising platform.
"I've ran a half marathon twice before - the last one being with my dad just after Covid, which is why I wanted to take on the ABP Newport Half Marathon to raise money for the MND Association," Kurtis explained. "I entered it while dad was still with us, so he knew what I was planning and then my brother-in-law, Curtis, said he'd run it with me too."
At Gary's funeral, the family requested donations to the MND Association instead of flowers, which helped kickstart their fundraising efforts. "We've managed to raise £2,000 so far for MND but we're hoping to raise even more," Kurtis said. "There's no cure for the disease and there's nothing you can do to limit your chances of getting it, but hopefully the money can help go towards more research and medication so we can some day prevent and cure."
Event Details and Community Support
The ABP Newport Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, as a key component of the ABP Newport Marathon Festival. This festival also features a full marathon, a 10K race, and junior events, attracting runners from across the region.
Matt Newman, chief executive of event organisers Run 4 Wales, expressed admiration for Kurtis and Curtis's commitment. "Every year we see runners take part in our races for deeply personal reasons," he noted. "Taking on the ABP Newport Half Marathon is a huge challenge and doing it to support the fight against MND is truly inspiring. We're very proud to have Kurtis and his brother-in-law on the start line and wish them the very best on race day."
This initiative not only honors Gary Olding's memory but also contributes to vital research and support for those affected by Motor Neurone Disease, highlighting the power of community and personal dedication in the face of adversity.
