Hayley says training has been ‘brutal’ but she is determined to reach the finish line
A NORTH Wales nurse is taking on a major running challenge this weekend to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity.
Hayley Whitehead-Wright, who has spent her career working in intensive care and joined the lifesaving service four years ago, will be competing in the Chester Half Marathon on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The 39-year-old, who took up running in 2025, will proudly wear the charity’s colours as she joins around 7,000 runners on the start line.
Hayley has been documenting her fitness journey on social media and admits training for the event has been tough.
She said: “Training has been brutal, but I’m determined to make it to the finish line.”
The mum-of-one, who describes herself as “not a natural runner”, spoke openly about the negative comments she sometimes receives while out training.
She said: “You’d be surprised how many people shout out to me about my size or how slow I am when I am out and about, running. But I cancel out their noise.
“All I focus on is how I feel when I am outdoors – and I feel great.”
Hayley explained that she first started running to improve her wellbeing and help her unwind after work.
“It started with sofa to 5K, then I did Wrexham 10K and a few other events. But signing up for the Chester Half is the biggest challenge I have ever set myself,” she said.
“Doubling my distance has been a different ball game. You’re going from training for an hour to three hours, and that requires real commitment.”
Hayley is a Patient Liaison Nurse with the Wales Air Ambulance After Care Service, supporting patients and families after traumatic incidents, while also working as an ITU nurse at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
She has been fitting training around her busy work and family life, completing short runs, tempo sessions and longer training runs three or four times a week.
“It has taken over my life,” she admitted. “I take my hat off to anyone who does a marathon. I cannot imagine how they fit it all in.
“I am juggling two jobs, looking after a young child and have a home life to maintain, so there have been lots of time sacrifices the past few months.”
As a novice runner, Hayley said there were moments when she questioned whether she could complete the half marathon within the three-hour cut-off.
“I had a massive wobble where I hated every second of the training and it was a mental battle to push through,” she said.
After raising her concerns in a Facebook group for the Chester Half Marathon, she said she received an outpouring of support from fellow runners.
“Two ladies private messaged me and now we are going to meet up and encourage each other along the route,” she added.
For Hayley, the challenge is not about speed, but about completing the distance and raising vital funds for the charity she works for.
“I am not fast, I’m slow. I’m not an athlete, but I am about doing what I can, when I can,” she said.
“I hope that my fitness journey will inspire others who struggle with their weight to start moving and get outdoors.”
Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager Debra Sima praised Hayley’s determination.
She said: “Hayley is a role model, and we are hugely proud of her at Wales Air Ambulance.
“She has sacrificed so much time to get herself ready for the Chester Half Marathon and raise funds for our charity.
“It’s not been an easy journey, but she is so motivated and is determined to complete the course. I’ll be cheering her on and waiting for her on the finish line.
“Fundraisers like Hayley are key to everything we do. Every pound raised makes a lifesaving difference.”
