Lydia MacNeil to Run First Auckland Marathon in Honour of Her Mum and to Raise Awareness for Head and Neck Cancer Charity

When 25-year-old Aucklander Lydia MacNeil lines up at the start of the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon presented by ASICS on Sunday 2 November, she won’t just be chasing a personal milestone – she’ll be running for something far greater.

This debut marathon is a tribute to her mum Gail, who is currently undergoing treatment for stage three inoperable throat cancer. Through every step of the 42.2-kilometre run, Lydia hopes to raise $10,000 for Head and Neck Cancer Support Aotearoa to give back to the community that has supported them.

“For me, running this marathon means so much more than just ticking off a big fitness goal – it’s deeply personal,” said Lydia. “My mum has been battling head and neck cancer, and watching her face everything with such strength and grace has completely changed my perspective on resilience. Training for this marathon has become a way for me to honour her fight, to channel the hard days into something positive, and to remind myself what’s possible when you just keep showing up. Crossing that finish line will be for her, and for everyone going through something bigger than themselves.”

Running has always been a part of Lydia’s life. As a child, she loved cross country and was one of those kids who tried every sport going – always on the move and full of energy. But when she went to university, life changed. She lost some of that drive and became, in her words, "a bit lazy."

Everything shifted again when she moved back to Auckland during the COVID lockdown. In such a strange and uncertain time, running became her escape – the one part of her day where she could feel free. She started running every day, and with each run, she began to reconnect with that childhood joy. It became a personal challenge: how far could she go today, how strong could she get, how much could she grow?

“During lockdown, running became my outlet, a way to process, to breathe, to feel grounded when everything else felt uncertain,” she said. “Before that, I’d always been on and off with it, but those solo runs during lockdown really reconnected me with why I loved it. It wasn’t about times or races, it was about how it made me feel free, clear-headed, capable. That shift completely changed my approach to running; it became something I get to do, not something I have to do.”

Since March 2020, Lydia has been running consistently every week. This year, she took it up a level and joined two run clubs — NARC on Wednesday mornings and 445 on Fridays. The 445 club, in particular, has been a huge challenge, requiring her to wake up at 4 a.m. to train. But for Lydia, it’s absolutely worth it.

“I used to be quite shy about running with others. I worried I wouldn’t be fast enough or be able to keep up without stopping but these clubs are the most welcoming, motivating communities. Everyone cheers each other on, no matter the pace. I’ve met some great friends and made some gorgeous connections with people. They’ve pushed me to go further, to show up even on the days I don’t feel like it, and to realise that running doesn’t have to be a solo thing. The energy of those groups has kept me consistent and made training actually fun,” she said.

For Lydia, training for her first marathon has been a journey of self-discovery and growth.

“Training has taught me that I’m stronger and more disciplined than I ever gave myself credit for. There have been mornings I’ve wanted to skip runs, long runs that felt endless, and weeks where balancing work, life, and training was a real juggle but showing up through all of that has built a quiet kind of confidence. It’s taught me patience, trust in the process, and the importance of self-belief.”

What makes entering her first ever marathon even more meaningful is that Lydia will be doing it in honour of her mum, who is currently going through her second round of treatment for stage three inoperable throat cancer, which has metastasised. Her mum has been fighting bravely for the past eight months and is about to start a new government-funded treatment that Lydia and her family hope will save her life.

Lydia is using her marathon to raise funds for Head and Neck Cancer Support Aotearoa, a cause that has become close to her heart since her mum’s diagnosis. Incredibly, she has already raised nearly $8,000 with more than a week to go until the event – and just over $2,000 shy of her target.

“I wanted to support Head and Neck Cancer Aotearoa because they’ve been an incredible source of support and information for families like mine. Before mum’s diagnosis, I had no idea how under-represented this type of cancer was in terms of awareness and funding. This campaign felt like a tangible way to give back to help other families navigating what we’ve been through and to turn something painful into something that can help others like my beautiful mum,” said Lydia.

She also hopes her efforts will help shine a light on a lesser-known cancer and the people it affects.

“Head and neck cancer doesn’t get the same level of attention or visibility as some other cancers, yet it affects so many people. Raising awareness means more people can spot early signs, more families can access support, and more conversations can happen. Through my marathon and fundraising, I hope to not only raise money but also shine a light on this community and show that behind every diagnosis there’s a whole family navigating it together.”

Ultimately, Lydia hopes her story resonates with others and encourages them to take action – whether that’s lacing up their shoes or supporting a cause they care about.

“I hope people see that running and life doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You can start from scratch, have setbacks, cry mid-run, and still do something incredible. And I hope my mum’s story reminds people to check in on their loved ones, to never take health for granted, and to see how far love and community can carry you. If our story inspires even one person to get out there, to move, or to donate, then it’s all worth it.”

To support Lydia and her family and donate to Head and Neck Cancer Support Aotearoa, visit: https://aucklandmarathon2025.grassrootz.com/head-and-neck-cancer-support-aotearoa-hncsa/lydia-macneil.