Rowcroft Hospice calls on runners across South Devon to make every step count

Rowcroft Hospice is calling on people across South Devon to turn their love of running into vital support for local people living with life-limiting illness. From fun 5ks to coastal endurance challenges and city marathons, Run for Rowcroft encourages runners of all abilities to take on a challenge and raise funds to help patients and families when they need it most.

Rowcroft has a limited number of free charity places available for a series of Winding Paths events, including the Shiver Me Timbers eight-miler on Sunday 14 June, the City to Sea Marathon or Half Marathon on Sunday 6 September, as well as the Torbay Half Marathon & 10k on Sunday 20 September.

Molly Billingsley, Challenges Fundraiser at Rowcroft Hospice, will be taking part in the City to Sea event alongside supporters and says:

“I’m really excited to be taking on the City to Sea challenge, running alongside our supporters as part of Team Rowcroft. Running can offer a sense of motivation and wellbeing, especially during difficult times, and with every mile there’s that feeling of moving forward, one step at a time, while raising vital funds for patients and families when they need it most. That’s what Run for Rowcroft is all about – bringing people together, whatever their ability, to take on a challenge that works for them and turn it into care for our community.”

Clair Knowling will be running for Rowcroft in memory of her dad, taking part in the Shiver Me Timbers Eight-Miler and the Torbay Half Marathon & 10k. Clair says:

“Running for Rowcroft feels like a way to honour my dad and give back for the incredible care our family received. Without Rowcroft we would never have had that experience — Dad loved coming home, and we can never thank them enough. Although devastated, we were able to be the family we always were for the last time. I want other families to have the same precious moments we did at the end of their loved one’s life — not everyone gets that chance.”

Other events this year include the Torbay Half Marathon, Royal Parks Half Marathon, Oxford Half Marathon and the Exeter Inflatable 5k, 10k & 15k challenge.

To find out more about running for Rowcroft in 2026, visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/challenges. If you don’t see an event listed that you’d like to run, you’re still very welcome to take part – simply get in touch at molly.billingsley@rowcrofthospice.org.uk, and we’ll help you join Run for Rowcroft in a way that works for you.