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A woman from Glasgow is preparing to take on a gruelling fitness race this week after her mum was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.
Stephanie Knight, 27, will compete in HYROX at the Scottish Event Campus on Thursday 12 March, in support of Beatson Cancer Charity, which has been supporting her family since her mum’s diagnosis.
PICTURED: Stephanie Knight and her mum
Stephanie’s mum was taken to hospital last September after what the family initially believed was a stroke. Following tests, doctors discovered she had a grade four glioblastoma, a fast-growing type of brain tumour.
Since then, Stephanie has been by her mum’s side and recently moved back from living abroad so she can help care for her full time. During treatment at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, the family has also received support from Beatson Cancer Charity.
Stephanie said: “When my mum was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, it was obviously really difficult news for us. The Beatson have been fantastic in supporting her, and both me and my dad as well. The information and support they’ve provided has helped us through such a challenging time.”
The family regularly visited the charity’s Wellbeing Centre while Stephanie’s mum attended treatment.
Stephanie added: “We used to go to the Wellbeing Centre every Monday morning before her treatment to have a coffee together, and she also had her wig fitted there. Everyone was so friendly and couldn’t have done enough for us. The facilities at The Beatson are fantastic.”
Now Stephanie is preparing to take part in HYROX in Glasgow, one of the world’s fastest-growing fitness races.
The event combines endurance running with strength-based workout stations. Competitors complete eight kilometres of running, stopping between each kilometre to tackle exercises including SkiErg, rowing, burpees and farmer’s carries.
Stephanie has been training intensively in the lead-up to Thursday’s race.
She said: “HYROX is eight kilometres of running with different strength exercises in between like SkiErg, rowing, farmer’s carries and burpees. It’s definitely tough, but it’s a great race and I’m really looking forward to it. The training has been hard but really enjoyable. I’ve been training at the Emirates Arena with a great community around me and that’s helped keep me motivated.”
Stephanie hopes the race will help raise funds for Beatson Cancer Charity and highlight the support available to patients and families.
“My mum is a really independent woman, so seeing how much things have changed has made me realise how important it is to appreciate what our bodies can do while we’re healthy,” she said. “I want to encourage people to use fitness and their wellbeing to raise money for charities if they’re able to.”
Evonne Flisch from Beatson Cancer Charity said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Stephanie for taking part in HYROX in support of Beatson Cancer Charity. Fundraisers like Stephanie help us continue providing services for patients and families across Scotland, including the Wellbeing Centre at The Beatson. We wish her the very best of luck for Thursday and thank her for the incredible effort she is making while supporting her mum.”
Stephanie hopes to raise more than £1,000 through her fundraising efforts. Donations can be made via her JustGiving page.
