An extraordinary feat of endurance is underway as local student and sportsman Will Begy tackles a grueling 232km ultra-running challenge to raise £10,000 for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) support and research.
On Monday, 1st June 2026, Will laced up his running shoes at the Welford Road stadium the home of Leicester Tigers. His destination? The Recreation Ground ("The Rec") in Bath, just in time to watch the Tigers take on Bath Rugby on Saturday, 6th June.
The epic journey, dubbed "Road To The Rec," requires Will to run a full marathon every single day for five consecutive days, followed by a final half-marathon on match day.
For Will an alumnus of Oakham School and a active player for both Oakham Cricket Club and Oakham Rugby Club when home from university—the motivation for this punishing challenge is deeply personal. It was sparked by the recent, heartbreaking news that former Leicester Tigers and England rugby captain Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
"Growing up as a huge Leicester Tigers fan and as an Oakham boy, the recent news of Lewis Moody’s diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has had a profound impact on me," Will shared on his fundraising page.
"Lewis has always been a huge inspiration, not just as a rugby player, but as a person, and this challenge is my way of helping raise awareness and vital funds to support those living with this devastating disease."
MND is a progressive, fatal neurological condition that attacks the motor neurones, gradually stripping individuals of their ability to walk, talk, eat, and ultimately breathe. By taking on this challenge, Will joins a passionate, rugby-led community that has fiercely rallied behind MND fundraising over recent years.
The Road To The Rec The Breakdown
To successfully connect the two iconic rugby grounds, Will's itinerary demands immense physical and mental resilience:
Incredible Community Support
The hometown response has already been overwhelming. As Will hits the tarmac, the community has rallied behind him. He has already smashed through the halfway point of his target, raising over £5,000 before even taking his first stride out of Leicester.
With five days of relentless running ahead of him, Will is pushing hard to reach his ultimate goal of £10,000. Every pound raised will go directly toward providing vital resources for those living with the disease and funding the search for a cure.
How You Can Help
You can follow Will’s journey, read updates on his progress, and back his incredible cause by visiting his official crowdfunding page on JustGiving https://www.justgiving.com/page/william-begy-roadtotherec
Whether you are a Tigers fan, a resident of Oakham, or simply inspired by a young man pushing his body to the absolute limit for charity, your support can help Will cross the finish line in Bath with £10,000 in the bank for the MND community.
