Steve Mason, a great family friend of Connor Crawford,5, (whose parent set up Chasing Connor's Cure) has completed his "5 for 50" Marathon Mission and has raised over £5,000 for Duchenne UK.

For Steve's 50th birthday year he set himself a mission of running five marathons that year! He has not only succeeded in that mission but has also completed two half marathons, and all within an eight month period. 

Steve focussed on swimming in his school years, and only made the switch to running when he was 41. He’d experienced the loss of a close colleague from lung cancer, and this motivated him to sign up for a 5k run in aid of Cancer Research. The running bug got hold of him, and he’s combined it with impressive fund-raising efforts ever since.  Typically, he raises money for a different medical charity each year, and this has seen him run in the London Marathon three times, as well as the Berlin Marathon and the Kent Coastal Marathon.

Steve is a keen cyclist and also completed the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 as well as joining Duchenne UK on the Duchenne Dash this year. 

Like most fundraisers, Steve has to fit his training around his job, in his case as a facilities manager for the Wellcome Trust in central London.  Conveniently, this means that Primrose Hill is close to hand for lunchtime training, and he enjoys being an unofficial coach to some of his colleagues.  

Now, at the end of his "5 for 50" challenge, Steve wants to plan the next challenge for 2018 to raise more money and awareness for Duchenne UK.

Steve said: ”It’s a cause very close to my heart, I will do what I can do.”

Matt Crawford, Connors Dad, said: "Steve has raised over £5000 this year for Duchenne research, which is quite simply amazing, not only that but he is continuously spreading awareness. Well done Steve – you are a true superstar and Happy Birthday for the 16th October!!."

Thank you Steve - and Happy 50th Birthday!

Here is a list of all the events Steve has completed this year:

* Mar 12 North London Half Marathon

1) Apr 30 Krakow Marathon

* April 100 miles in a month challenge

2) May 21 Exeter Marathon

3) May 28 Edinburgh Marathon

* May 100 miles in a month challenge

* June 9 24hrs L2P ride - 300km to Paris 13.5 hours in the saddle

* June Dualthon challenge

* July 30 Pru100 (101 mile cycle)

* July 100 miles in a month challenge

* August 100 miles in a month challenge

* 20 miles in 20 days

4) Sept 17 Richmond Marathon: completed

* September 100 miles in a month challenge:

5) Oct 1 Salisbury to Winchester (Clarendon) 

* October 100 miles in a month challenge

* Oct Royal ParksHalf Marathon

* Run 1000 miles in the year