North Devon runner to tackle three-month marathon challenge in memory of best friend

A runner from North Devon is set to embark on a three-month extreme endurance challenge to raise money for cancer research following the death of his best friend.

Scott Molumby, 37, will complete three marathons in as many months in memory of Dan Logan-Thomas, who died in December last year after living with brain cancer for eight months.

The challenge, which benefits the World Cancer Research Fund, will see Scott tackle terrain across Devon, Wales and London.

The pair became close friends at Swansea University and later lived together in Wales, Australia and New Zealand.

“Dan was such a happy-go-lucky guy,” Scott said. “He made his own luck because he was so positive, right until the very end.”

ABOVE: Scott and Dan together 

Dan had lived with non-cancerous brain tumours for five years, undergoing multiple surgeries and radiotherapy. However, in April last year, scans revealed a new, large cancerous tumour.

Despite intensive chemotherapy to fight the disease, he died in December. 

“Dan wasn’t afraid of dying, he was more upset about how it would affect everyone else. That’s just the kind of person he was,” Scott said.

His challenge began on Saturday, February 28 with a double ultra-marathon along the Tarka Trail, starting in Ilfracombe and finishing in Dartmoor National Park.

On March 28, Scott will head to his native Wales to run an ultra-marathon across the mountains of Snowdonia, tackling peaks of over 3,000 feet.

The 58-day feat will end on April 26 at the TCS London Marathon.

Scott said the challenge was originally part of plans the pair had made together. 

“Dan helped me decide on the runs and I always assumed he would join me at the finish line to celebrate,” he said. “Now, I’m determined to complete this challenge in his memory and give it my all.”

Steve Greenberg, UK director at the World Cancer Research Fund, said the challenge showed “extraordinary strength and courage”.

“Running in memory of his best friend is a reminder of the love and loyalty that shapes the best of us,” he said.

“His determination is raising funds to fuel our research that helps save lives, continuing Dan’s proud legacy.”

Scott hopes the fundraiser will encourage others to “grab life with both hands”.

“Don’t hang around if there’s something you want to do or something you need to say. Do it while you can, while you have the chance,” he said.