Melissa Williams, an ambassador for Alzheimer’s Research UK, will attempt to complete the Capital Ring, a 126km/78mile route, equivalent to 3 consecutive marathons, in just one day. Melissa will be completing a route that is normally broken down into 15 separate sections around the capital, attempting it as an independent fundraising event rather than an organised race – only adding to challenge ahead of her.
Melissa is sharing an open invitation for people to join in with the Capital Ring Challenge – by joining her from Stoke Newington to Plaistow, to run the first 10km of her 2nd marathon, from New Beckenham to Streatham Common, or by doing any part of the route themselves. These marathon milestones offer a unique opportunity for the public to get involved and show support.
With this challenge, Melissa hopes to help raise more than £25,000 in total for ARUK (https://www.justgiving.com/page/melwilliams). ARUK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity and is working to revolutionise the way dementia is treated, diagnosed and prevented. Dementia affects almost one million people in the UK alone and has a huge impact on families.
Melissa started supporting the charity in 2022, following her Mum’s diagnosis of Young-Onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 59. As an ambassador for ARUK, Melissa is a skilled storyteller, able to clearly articulate the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s through her personal experience. She has previously been interviewed live on Sky News and given multiple talks on the topic.
Available for interviews: before, during and after the event.
Details:
- Date: Saturday 18 April 2026
- Route: https://goo.gl/maps/ru549B8KwGJB9fV58?g_st=ac – travelling clockwise around London (GPS location/tracking will be available in real time)
- Timing: Starting at 6am – Brent Meadow, Hanwell (W7 3JJ); Finishing ~1am
- Open Invitation for people to join:
- Start of the 2nd marathon:
🏃🏽♀️➡️ Stoke Newington to Plaistow – 11:45am
📍 N16 0LH (What3Words: ///cages.prove.inch)
🧭 Meeting point: Capital Ring signpost at the east entrance to Abney Park
⌚ Meet at: 11:30am
- Start of the 3rd marathon:
🏃🏽♀️➡️ New Beckenham to Streatham Common – 6:00pm
📍 BR3 1QS (what3words: ///number.bikes.speak)
🧭 Meeting point: Lennard Road Car Park – New Beckenham Station
⌚ Meet at: 5:45pm
About Alzheimer’s Research UK:
- Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity.
- Our vision is a world free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.
- We fund life-changing research, influence government and policy-makers, and provide information for people affected by dementia.
- Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia, by revolutionising the way we treat, diagnose and prevent the condition.
- Since the charity was founded in 1992 we have invested more than £237m in dementia research, helping fuel drug discovery, improve diagnostics and further our understanding of the genetics of the condition.
- Last year we invested more than £34m in our charitable activities, including over £27m in research.
- You can support Alzheimer’s Research UK by donating, fundraising, volunteering and campaigning. To find out more about the charity and how you can help visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org or call 0300 111 5555.
Quote from ARUK representative: Lucy Bedford, Senior Relationship Fundraising Officer for London and Essex at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“We’re so grateful to Melissa for once again supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK in honour of her mum Wendy. Melissa is no stranger to a fundraising challenge and so we can’t wait to see how she gets on with the Capital Ring Challenge.
“If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Fantastic fundraising efforts like this will help us get closer to a cure for people with dementia and their loved ones. We wish Melissa the best of luck!”
