Mum to run marathon a year past her life expectancy

Elle was told she had a maximum of eight months left... 17 months ago

A woman who 17 months ago was told she had between five and eight months to live is to run the London Marathon.

Wellness coach Elle Mortimer, 31, from Billericay, had a benign brain tumour removed in 2021, which required two 12-hour operations.

In October 2023 she was told her tumour had returned. A biopsy soon after revealed a "vicious" stage four brain cancer and Ms Mortimer was told she probably would not see next Christmas.

Ahead of her first marathon she has said she "feels fantastic".

'Got to be a mum'

Ms Mortimer has been pushed on by her sons Ted, 4, and Arthur, 6.

She told BBC Essex: "I've got two young little boys, and (I've) got to be a mum so I just get up and get on with it.

"I've got to get through this, and I know I'm going to get through this, 100%, nothing is going to keep me down."

She says her cancer is stable, but she is waiting for the results of her latest MRI scan.

Ms Mortimer has undergone three operations since 2021

Ms Mortimer said an active lifestyle had helped keep her spirits high.

"I feel fantastic, an active and healthy lifestyle helps, and just keeping positive," she said.

"When I run, it's like my therapy.

"I just feel great after I've done that run. I feel calm, and relaxed."

Running has become an escape since she became ill, but she was not a runner beforehand.

"No, hell no," she said.

But her newfound enthusiasm for the sport galvanised her to take on the Hackney, and then the London half marathons in 2023.

This weekend she is finally fulfilling her desire to run the London Marathon, raising money for the National Brain Appeal.

"Last year I really wanted to do it, and I couldn't because I just had an operation," she said.

Elle Mortimer achieved a half marathon time of 2 hours 50 minutes

"I'm just so excited more than anything. I can run a lot, I'm still very fit," she said.

Unsurprisingly, she has surpassed her £3,000 target.

Her paper sign on her running top reads: "I'm a warrior, I'm a fighter, I am Elle Mortimer."