A DAD who has lived with Crohn’s disease for 10 years is preparing to run a marathon.

Lee Skittrall, from Newton Abbot, wants two turn his decade-long health challenge into a milestone celebration.

In September, he is travelling to Denmark to run the Copenhagen Half Marathon, coinciding with the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

The event will mark both his 30th birthday and 10 years since since his life-changing diagnosis.

He explained: ‘After a decade of managing this condition, I want to prove how far I have come while raising vital funds and awareness for Crohn’s & Colitis UK.

‘Most importantly, I am running to show my daughter, Erin, that health challenges do not have to hold you back and that anything is possible if you work hard for it.’

He says the challenge has been a ‘long time coming’.

He said: ‘Since being diagnosed with the condition in 2017, my health has been a journey of its own.

‘As I approach a decade since that diagnosis, I wanted to do something that proves how far I’ve come—not just in managing my condition, but in my own resilience.

‘I’ve stood on the start line of half marathons before, but persistent knee injuries have always stepped in.

‘While I’m proud to say I’ve always crossed the finish line—even when my knee gave way and I had to walk the remaining miles in pain—this race will be different.

‘This time, the goal is to run the full 21km.

‘I’m working through the rehab and training harder than ever to ensure my body can finally go the distance. It’s about more than just a race; it’s about proving that a diagnosis, and a stubborn knee, doesn't define what I can achieve.’

Money raised will go to the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK, both of which run in Lee’s family.

The charity provides a lifeline for the half a million people in the UK living with these "invisible" illnesses. From funding life-changing research to providing support for those newly diagnosed, its work is vital.

And Lee’s biggest motivation is his seven-year-old daughter Erin.

He said: ‘I want her to see that even when you face setbacks, injury, or health hurdles, you don't give up. I want to inspire her by showing that you can always go back, try again, and finish what you started.’

Lee is documenting his training journey on social media to inspire others living with chronic illnesses.

He can be found at @ChronicLeeRuns.

He has already raised more than £500 for the charity to help raise awareness for 500,000 people in the UK living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

To support Lee go to his fundraising Page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/leeskittrall