Xiaodong Liu

In 2023 I ran my first marathon with a good friend. We were both slow. We finished in well over 4 and a half hours, but we shared a small dream for two middle-aged runners: one day, break 4 hours. 

We trained together on Strava and pushed each other to run faster. One race we promised to run together was the Rotterdam Marathon. 

That never happened. Soon after, my friend was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer, and passed away a year later. Since then I have carried our dream for both of us. Since then I run two marathons a year, and my last finish time was 3:39, far faster than either of us ever imagined back then.

Rotterdam is one of the most popular marathons in the Netherlands, and this is my third attempt to get a start ticket. This year KWF offered me a place if I raise €750 for cancer research. I will contribute at least €150 myself, which covers the official ticket cost, and I hope to raise the rest with your help. If I get to the start line this way, I will aim to finish in 3:30. I’ll run it to honour your support and in memory of my friend.

Every donation, big or small, goes to cancer research, so fewer people have to lose a running partner, a friend, or a parent the way I did.

Thank you for running this one with me.