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Yate woman runs 100k after brother's diabetes diagnosis

Megan Wiltshire Megan smiling with her brotherMegan Wiltshire
Ms Wiltshire's brother Max and friends cycled with her for the equivalent of two-and-a-half marathons

A paramedic has run 100km (62 miles) in one day to raise awareness of diabetes after her brother was diagnosed with the condition.

Megan Wiltshire, from Yate, ran through Portishead, Clevedon, Chew Magna, Saltford and Bristol on 14 November to raise £1,000 for Diabetes UK.

It also marks 100 years since Frederick Banting and John Macleod won the Nobel Prize for discovering insulin.

Ms Wiltshire said she was "a little bit sore", but feeling "really good".

'Big diagnosis'

The 24-year-old, who works for South West Ambulance Service, said it was a big shock for her family when her brother Max was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just before his 18th birthday.

The family initially thought he was having a growth spurt, but doctors recognised key symptoms of the condition.

"It's such a big diagnosis, but as long as you have the support and the management you can live a completely normal life," she said.

"The technology now is amazing."

Megan Wiltshire Split image of Megan Wiltshire holding up woolly hats and her running on a road with two cyclists next to herMegan Wiltshire
Ms Wiltshire's changed hats every 10k

Ms Wiltshire's previous longest run was a marathon, but she completed the 100k challenge with the help of her brother, Max, and a group of friends who joined her on their bikes.

"It's fantastic to have him by my side," she said.

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The 'Four Ts' that could signal type 1 diabetes:

  • Toilet - going to the toilet a lot, bed wetting by a previously dry child or heavier nappies in babies
  • Thirsty - being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst
  • Tired - feeling more tired than usual
  • Thinner - losing weight or looking thinner than usual

Source: NHS

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Type 1 diabetes is a disorder in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin and is characterised by uncontrolled high blood glucose levels.

People with type 1 diabetes have to monitor their blood sugar levels throughout the day and it can be controlled by injecting insulin.

But Mr Wiltshire said he would never let diabetes stop him from doing what he loves and described taking part in his sister's challenge as "amazing".

He said: "I'm so happy to complete the 10k on the bike alongside my sister."

Megan Wiltshire People cycling alongside Megan, pictured from behindMegan Wiltshire
Ms Wiltshire ran continuously for more than 14 hours

Ms Wiltshire started the run in Portishead at 05:00 GMT, travelling through Clevedon, Chew Magna, Saltford and the centre of Bristol before finishing back in Portishead at 19:30.

She was running continuously for more than 14 hours, with a hat change at every 10k (6.2 miles).

"I think that's just what helped us through. Every hat change we were 10k down," she said.

Megan Wiltshire Megan and Max Wiltshire smilingMegan Wiltshire
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was "a big change" for Max Wiltshire

Ms Wiltshire's GoFundMe page had an initial target of £1,000 but has reached more than £3,400.

"I just can't thank everyone enough [for donating]," she added.

She said she was now thinking about what her next challenge would be.

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