Dementia Support Line
The Dementia Run Club
Ten inspiring people from across the UK – including a person living with dementia, a dementia researcher, and a carer – have united to take on the AJ Bell Great North Run 2026, to keep dementia on the run until we can beat it.
Introducing the Dementia Run Club
Coached by RunningWithUs, the club will take on the 45th AJ Bell Great North Run on 13 September 2026, fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society - the official charity partner of the AJ Bell Great Run Series 2026/27.
Broadcast live on BBC One and watched around the world, the Great North Run is the biggest half marathon on the planet, with 60,000 runners and more than 200,000 supporters lining the streets.
Join the race to beat dementia, the UK’s biggest killer
The Great North Run ballot is open until midnight on 11 January 2026. We will be releasing a limited number of charity places later in January, so please register your interest. Or why not lace up your trainers and sign up to run one of the other fantastic AJ Bell Great Run races this year.
Run or donate to support the Dementia Run Club
Help us continue to support people affected by dementia and invest in groundbreaking research.
Shannon's Story: 'Joining Dementia Run Club has intensified my passion to bring an end to this devastating condition.'
Shannon, 27, from Essex, is training to take on the AJ Bell Great North Run in honour of her nan, Babs, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2023 and still cared for by her husband of 65 years, Herby.
Shannon only started running in 2024, to set herself a new challenge, but has since completed a half marathon and raised money to support the 'brilliant work' done by Alzheimer’s Society.
Shannon running for Alzheimer's Society in London.
Shannon, says: 'My Nan was the life and soul of the party, she’s an incredible woman, but dementia has changed everything. Watching her fade has been incredibly tough for the whole family.
'It took us two years to get a diagnosis, and now she’s cared for at home by my Pops, Herby. The truly sad thing is that Nan no longer recognises Herby, her husband of 65 years.
I started running as a challenge to push myself and to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society to support the brilliant work they do for people affected by dementia. Until last year, I’d never ran before and now I’ve completed a half-marathon and raised over £2,000 for Alzheimer's Society and I have no plans to stop there.
'Joining their Dementia Run Club has intensified my passion to bring an end to this devastating condition and while Nan can’t be at the race in person, I know wherever she is she’ll be the loudest voice cheering me on.'
- Jane Buckels, 68, from Abergavenny, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2014 and has found running helps to manage her symptoms.
- Paul Lindsay, 52, from Nottingham, who has cared for his dad, Richard, since his diagnosis in 2022. They ran the Great North Run in 1997.
- James Smith, 46, from Newmarket, who started running in his twenties with his dad, Fred. Running together stopped sadly due to Fred’s dementia.
- Catherine Courtney-Diggins, 37, from London, who is running for her dad, Tom, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia aged 63 in 2020'.
- Shannon Elaine Barden, 27, from London, who supports her nan, Babs, diagnosed with dementia in 2023. Babs’ main carer is her husband of 65 years.
- Antoni Hall, age 41, from Darlington, Alzheimer’s Society Local Services Manager for NE & Yorkshire.
- Dr Harry Pritchard, 36, from Manchester, who is an Alzheimer's Society Dementia Research Leader, specialising in cardiovascular health.
- Lucas Cloves, 24, from London, who recently ran 50 marathons in 50 days to fundraise in memory of his grandmothers, Margaret and Carol.
- Megan Parker, 24, from Manchester, is running for her grandmother, Shirley, who died from dementia in October 2025.
- Jack Busby, 24, from London, has a personal link to dementia through his grandad, Terry who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018 and is now in an assisted living residence.
Run or donate to support the Dementia Run Club
Join the race, support the Dementia Run Club, and together, keep dementia on the run.