An ITU nurse at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital will take on the Chester Half Marathon this weekend to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.
Hayley Whitehead-Wright, 39, started running in 2025 to improve her wellbeing and to help unwind after work.
The mum-of-one, who admits she’s not a natural runner, said training for the event on May 17 has been “brutal”, but she is determined to make it to the finish line.
“I know I don’t look like the type of person you see on TikTok. You don’t need to tell me that,” said Hayley, who has been documenting her fitness journey on social media.
“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.”
Four years ago, Hayley joined the Wales Air Ambulance as a Patient Liaison Nurse at the after care service, which she balances alongside her role as an ITU nurse at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
As part of her role with the lifesaving charity Hayley and her colleague, Jo Yeoman, support patients and their families after what is usually a life-altering and sudden traumatic event.
She explained: “The whole reason I started this was to boost my wellbeing. After a day at work, I needed to find something which would help me unwind and improve my fitness.
“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.
“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.”
She fits training in around her work and family life, mixing it up with short runs, tempo runs, and then longer sessions three or four times a week.
As a novice runner, Hayley says there have been times she’s questioned whether she will be able to complete a full half-marathon within three hours.
“I had a massive wobble where I hated every second of the training and it was a mental battle to push through,” she explained.
“I reached out on Facebook to the Chester Half Marathon group and raised my concerns about making the time.
“I was met with a huge outreach from the running community; they are incredibly friendly – with so many saying they had the same concerns.
“Two ladies private messaged me and now we are going to meet up and encourage each other along the route.”
Hayley added that this weekend’s event is less about pace or speed and more about achieving the distance and ensuring that she hits her fundraising goal for the Wales Air Ambulance.
She said: “I am not fast, I’m slow. I’m not an athlete, but I am about doing what I can, when I can. So, if today I can manage a 5K, I will, if tomorrow it’s 10K, so be it, and the next day 20K – I’ll do it.
“I hope that my fitness journey will inspire others who struggle with their weight to start moving and get outdoors!”
Debra Sima, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, added: “Hayley is an incredible 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.”
Spotted something? Got a story? email us at [email protected]
Add Wrexham.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
