Maddy Leach of Medstead talks about running 1,000 miles in 2026 with her poodle Ludo for Cancer Research UK.

A woman and her poodle are aiming to run 1,000 miles together during 2026 to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK.
Maddy Leach, 56, of Medstead, and seven-year-old Ludo are running canicross style, in which Ludo is linked to a harness around her waist.
He has learned new running commands to keep them safe as they traverse the roads of Four Marks and Medstead.
Maddy explained how their Madudo Challenge came about: “Me and my husband have sat in too many funerals of people our age and a bit older, lives cut short by cancer.
“Then there are those who have suffered with the treatment - you come through it but it always leaves that spectre on your shoulder.
“I thought ‘What could we reasonably do in a year?’ Then over Christmas I heard The Proclaimers’ song I’m Gonna Be where they sing they’re going to walk 1,000 miles. I thought ‘Can we run 1,000 miles?’ I calculated it and we could.
“As of April 15 we are 316 miles in and slightly ahead of schedule, which feels remarkable given that we have been out in rain, snow and gales without exception.
“Some days the only thing getting us out of the door is sheer stubbornness and the fact that Ludo does 52 spins of joy when he sees me put my trainers on!”
Maddy is posting weekly updates on Facebook and hopes their efforts will increase backing for the charity at a vital time.
She said: “Cancer Research UK is such a fantastic charity to be supporting right now because we are at the conjunction of a number of advancements that haven’t happened before.
“In five years’ time diagnosis of cancer could be completely different to how it is now. That’s why we’re doing it, and why we’re doing it for Cancer Research UK.”