2026-11-13T14:48:06+00:00

Sam wins age category at Nuclear Race in memory of his mum Janet

A group of five friends swapped a cold, wet November weekend for mud, freezing water and more than 70 obstacles, raising money for Friends of Roxburghe House Grampian in memory of a much-loved mum.

Sam Lyon, accompanied by friends Matthew, Tom, Elliott and Rob took on the 12km Nuclear Races Fallout course in Essex on Saturday 7 November.

The challenge began when Matthew suggested the group run for charity after hearing that Sam’s mum Janet had died. Sam chose Friends of Roxburghe House Grampian, as Janet spent her final week at the specialist palliative care unit in Aberdeen.

Sam grew up in Aberdeen and now lives in London and had never run a muddy obstacle course, but says his mum was a brilliant athlete and a member of Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club - and that she “would have been cursing” him if he had taken it at a casual pace.

He has also been part of the Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club but had only completed his first 10km to “get back in shape” at the start of October.

However he went on to win his age group, to his own surprise. The whole team crossed the finish line together.

Sam said: “I had been hoping to get a good pace and try my hardest so it was a surprise to be told I won the age group. The freezing water definitely wakes you up but the giant slide into water was a highlight.

“Roxburghe House was a sanctuary for my mum and for us in her final days. So freezing water or not, it was great to be running for a good cause with friends, and more friends and family cheering us on.”

The team’s JustGiving page has so far raised more than £1,300, plus Gift Aid, and is still open for donations here.

Roxburghe House provides specialist palliative care, and Friends of Roxburghe House Grampian works to improve the comfort and quality of life of patients, families and staff.

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