Nikki Edgerton is an active and energetic person, so it should be of no surprise that when she was diagnosed with cancer, she didn’t let it get her down, and she was crossing the finish line at a Threshold Sports ultramarathon, Race to the Tower, just months later.

The trade marketing manager has completed this race twice, once before and then after beating non-Hodgkin lymphoma – and now she has completed yet another challenge.

Edgerton took part in the Heineken Race to the Castle which covers 100km of the picturesque Northumberland countryside, finishing up at Bamburgh Castle, in memory of her friend’s sister who lost her battle with cancer.

The 43-year-old revealed why she’s raising money for Macmillan, how it feels to be supported by her colleagues, even those she hasn’t even met, and spoke about how she felt ahead of race day.

You completed the Race to the Tower in 2018, so were you an avid runner before your cancer diagnosis?

I’ve always had a healthy and active lifestyle pre/during and post cancer. I love group gym classes, mountain biking and with two very cute Cockapoos walking outdoors in our beautiful countryside has been something I regularly do.

When you found out about your blood cancer, did it completely shatter your confidence or were you determined to have a strong, positive attitude?

I was always confident, positive and determined to beat my cancer. I had a positive attitude throughout my treatment. The backing from friends, family and Macmillan nurses provides you with so much strength and optimism.

And then you competed Race to the Tower again the following year, so how did both races compare?

Both events (although the same) were hard, for different reasons. The second time I was more prepared for the terrain and grilling your feet take but my body was still recovering from the beating it had taken with Chemo/radiotherapy – I had two friends to do the event with though which really helped as well as all the other participants you meet along the way to cheer me on.

Why did you decide to take part in the Heineken Race to the Castle and how excited are you to cross the start line?

The Threshold events are wonderful in every sense, and I was keen to try something new and more challenging. I haven’t spent much time in Northumbria, so it really appealed, and I had heard positive stories from friends that had done it previously. I’m excited about the event this weekend; it will be a great physical challenge but the mental benefits from being outdoors and exploring somewhere new will be immense.

How did it feel to know that your colleagues at Heineken took part in the ultramarathon as well?

One of the best bits of these events is the people you meet along the journey - colleagues I would never usually meet or work with normally. It’s great to meet new people, find out their story and hopefully be energised by them too. It’s also amazing to see the volunteers along the way that are there to support and ensure the event runs smoothly for all.

And you're also raising money for Macmillan, how significant is this cause to you?

Yes, I am. For obvious reasons supporting ‘Macmillan Cancer Support’ is close to heart. I will be eternally grateful for the help they provided me, my husband and family. It was terrifying for everyone, and they take such good care of ‘everyone’. It’s important other families going through cancer get the same care I did.

You took part in the race with your friend Michelle whose sister Amanda sadly died of cancer, so how important was it for you to do this race in her memory?

I worked with Michelle at Heineken a few years ago now and continued a good friendship outside of work. It was awful to hear Amanda’s sad news and the grief she has gone through as a result – cancer is cruel. Due to Michelle’s experience in this area while I had a different cancer, she was extra supportive, kind and able to provide helpful tips during my treatment; simple things like the best hand creams due to my cracking/sore hands from all the hand sanitiser and washing I would do. Doing the race in memory of Amanda is very heart warming and will help us push on during the tougher parts of the route.

Are you planning on taking part in other events to raise money for Macmillan?

I have participated in The Mighty Hikes in the past and look forward to more fundraising events as soon as this COVID pandemics subsides and we’re able to enjoy more group activities together.

If you’d like to learn more about Threshold Sports ultramarathon events, visit https://www.thresholdsports.co.uk

Words by Lucy Roberts for Female First. You can follow Lucy on Twitter @Lucy_Roberts_72.

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