For most non-runners, Couch to 5K is a daunting prospect. So when Anton Gabb from Gloucester decided to take on a mammoth ‘Couch to 60K’ challenge his wife and friends were naturally dubious. Five months later, he is sticking to the plan and determined to raise £6,000 to be split between the British Liver Trust and Erase Meso, two causes very close to his heart.
Anton, 32, said: “I lost my mum to liver cancer in 2024 and my dad to mesothelioma in 2019. I wanted to do something special in their memory and help other families affected by these conditions. You could say my Couch to 60k is a questionable life choice for a good cause.”
Starting with a 5k event in January, Anton has added 5k to his challenge every month (in addition to a gruelling 50k weekly training schedule) and will conclude with a 60k endurance event in December.
Anton said: “I’m not a natural runner so my wife and friends thought I was crazy when I suggested Couch to 60k. The first few months were manageable, but the weekly 50k training load is tiring, especially now the weather has warmed up, but it’s all worth it.”
Training around Gloucester and Cheltenham, Anton has been looking further afield for his monthly challenge events. He ran the London winter 10k in February, a half marathon in California in April, and will take part in the Helsinki marathon in August. From September onwards, he will compete in ultra-marathons and is looking for 50km and 60km events to complete his challenge. 
Greater awareness needed
Anton’s mum Sue was 71 when she diagnosed with liver cancer on New Year’s Eve 2023. She was left with 26 per cent of her liver after surgery to remove the tumour and given the all-clear in the February 2024. Unfortunately, the cancer returned just a month later and she sadly died in November.
Anton said: “My mum was fit and healthy before she was diagnosed with liver cancer. I naively thought that liver disease and liver cancer only affected people who drank excessively and it wasn’t until my mum was diagnosed and I did a bit more reading that I realised that’s just not the case. If I was like that, I’m pretty sure other people think the same way. We need greater awareness and that’s why I decided to fundraise for the British Liver Trust.”
Audrey Cornelius, Director of Fundraising at the British Liver Trust said: “We are full of admiration and gratitude to Anton for taking on such a huge challenge for our charity. Around 6,000 people are diagnosed with liver cancer every year and deaths have doubled in the past two decades – only 13% of liver cancer patients survive five years or more. The British Liver Trust campaigns for earlier diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer and the money Anton raises will be a wonderful contribution to our vital work.”
You can support Anton’s challenge here
