Between June 30th and July 5th, one father took on an extraordinary physical and emotional challenge: running six ultramarathons in six days covering a staggering 220 miles (350 km) to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. But this wasn’t just any endurance feat. This was a mission from the heart, a tribute to his daughter, Delilah.
At just five days old, Delilah underwent life-saving surgery for Intestinal Malrotation in the Neonatal Surgical Ward at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Tom never forgot the care, precision, and compassion of the medical team that helped save her life. Determined to give back, he laced up his shoes and set out on a journey that would test every fibre of his being.
The route itself was symbolic: Dover, Eastling, Longfield, Islington, Luton, Abthorpe, and finally Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The first letter of each stop spelled out Delilah, a powerful tribute woven into every step of the path.
The conditions were brutal. The UK was gripped by a heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 34°C on the first two days. Blistering heat, exhaustion, and fatigue were constant companions. Still, he pressed on, driven by love, purpose, and a relentless commitment to the cause.
On day six, already worn down by hundreds of kilometres of running, he faced his biggest physical hurdle: a torn muscle in his left quadriceps, just five miles into what would become a double marathon. The pain was excruciating, but giving up was never an option. “I had to dig deep, locate my b******s, and spend a day in the pits,” he said, summing up the grit that carried him through roughly 10 hours of grueling pain. Still, he was clear: “It was nothing compared to what Delilah has been through. Absolutely no comparison.”
This journey wasn’t just about distance. It was about resilience. About a father's love. About honoring the courage of a little girl who fought for her life before she even knew the world.
So far, the challenge has raised over £28,000 for the Neonatal Surgical Ward at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, a testament to the power of one story to move hundreds of hearts.
Delilah’s name now stands not only for a route, but for hope, strength, and the incredible impact one family can have.
Tom Penzer-Adams Running for Delilah: 6 Ultramarathons in 6 Days, 220 Miles for Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Between June 30th and July 5th, one father took on an extraordinary physical and emotional challenge: running six ultramarathons in six days covering a staggering 220 miles (350 km) to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. But this wasn’t just any endurance feat. This was a mission from the heart, a tribute to his daughter, Delilah.
At just five days old, Delilah underwent life-saving surgery for Intestinal Malrotation in the Neonatal Surgical Ward at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Tom never forgot the care, precision, and compassion of the medical team that helped save her life. Determined to give back, he laced up his shoes and set out on a journey that would test every fibre of his being.
The route itself was symbolic: Dover, Eastling, Longfield, Islington, Luton, Abthorpe, and finally Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The first letter of each stop spelled out Delilah, a powerful tribute woven into every step of the path.
The conditions were brutal. The UK was gripped by a heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 34°C on the first two days. Blistering heat, exhaustion, and fatigue were constant companions. Still, he pressed on, driven by love, purpose, and a relentless commitment to the cause.
On day six, already worn down by hundreds of kilometres of running, he faced his biggest physical hurdle: a torn muscle in his left quadriceps, just five miles into what would become a double marathon. The pain was excruciating, but giving up was never an option. “I had to dig deep, locate my b******s, and spend a day in the pits,” he said, summing up the grit that carried him through roughly 10 hours of grueling pain. Still, he was clear: “It was nothing compared to what Delilah has been through. Absolutely no comparison.”
This journey wasn’t just about distance. It was about resilience. About a father's love. About honoring the courage of a little girl who fought for her life before she even knew the world.
So far, the challenge has raised over £28,000 for the Neonatal Surgical Ward at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, a testament to the power of one story to move hundreds of hearts.
Delilah’s name now stands not only for a route, but for hope, strength, and the incredible impact one family can have.