26/05/2026
I would like to tell you about my husband, Steve Rolls and his journey to Lakeland. Steve and I met 21 years ago when we were both heavy smokers and drinkers and a pair of running shoes (or anything exercise related) would have been the last thing on our shopping lists.
In fact, our first coastal walk on our first weekend away together could have been the end of our relationship (but that is another story!). When we met I was a tour leader, often away for long periods of time all over the world and from day 1, Steve was always supportive of me, my plans, my dreams and my (occasionally) daft ideas.
As the years went by we got married and had our amazing daughter and Steve continued to support my travelling (although now based in an office it did take me overseas regularly) and we supported each other through the various ups and downs life throws at you.
In 2017 we moved to Keswick as I had got a job that was a real opportunity and so Steve packed his job in too and we moved the 300+ miles to start a new life. The move to the Lakes inspired my newly found attempt at running and my love of the trails suddenly took off with Steve dabbling here and there too.
Covid was a game changer and, being furloughed (both working in travel) we really started exploring the fells around us much more. I took on my first marathon not long after Covid, once again with Steve's support in looking after our daughter during my long runs and always having a hot bath and a bacon sandwich ready for when I got home 🙂
I then went on to my first ultras and my first Lakeland 50, with Steve constantly looking after me post run, supporting on route, at finish lines and generally making sure I could do what made me happy and kept me "mostly" sane.
During this time Steve also completed his first trail marathon and the following year we ran Coniston marathon together where that fateful uttering was heard from Steve of "I think that's enough long distance for me, I'll just stick to maximum halves from now on". Fair enough.
The couple of years following this declaration were "bumpy" to say the least, including the surprising and out of the blue prostate cancer diagnosis that Steve received after a routine visit to the doctors. A massive surprise as no real symptoms and a generally healthy lifestyle, very grateful that it was caught when it was. One radical prostatectomy later and a steady recovery Steve was back couch to 5king about 3 months later and with the view that "life's too short", he started training for his first ultra.
Having seen how ridiculously excited I get every year for Lakeland (whether marshalling with the awesome Ambleside crew or running) there was a definite twinkle in his eye when I came back last year and I asked him the fateful question of "are you wanting to run it next year?"
This revealed a wry grin and a ......"maybe"! So, this year is very much my year to give back all that support that Steve has given me. He's currently waiting to find out if his cancer is still there and whether further treatment will be required which has been a scary place to be and currently hangs over him but, until then, he's trudging up hills, running in the fells and the "nothing further than a half" has very much been put in the bin!!!
We will be running together as a "screw you" to cancer and a firm belief that life is too short, so every opportunity that comes along is one to be taken if you can. Not all heroes wear capes but my husband, Evie's awesome dad and a great friend to everyone is definitely of cape wearing pedigree.
See you all in Coniston
Jo xx
