Marathon runner, 65, who moved into a care home after shock diagnosis completes 110th marathon around garden

A man who has run marathons around the world for 42 years has just completed the equivalent of his 110th marathon in the garden of his Sanctuary Care home after a “life changing” diagnosis left him unable to continue the hobby he loved most.

Ian Grange, 65, ran his first marathon in Basingstoke in 1984, when he was 24-years-old. Over the decades that followed, he ran a total of 109 marathons, including several World Marathon Majors such as Chicago and New York, and more than 50 races across Europe.

However, Ian’s life changed in June 2025 when he was diagnosed with Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD), a chronic, functional balance disorder that the NHS describes as being characterised by a constant feeling of dizziness or unsteadiness when upright, moving, or in busy visual environments, such as supermarkets or crowded places.

He said his symptoms came on suddenly, with his legs feeling “wobbly” and “as though I had weights on them”, eliminating his independence and leading him to become depressed as he could no longer go out and socialise with his friends – or, indeed, continue his running.

In December 2025, Ian moved from Richmond, south west London into Sanctuary Care’s Basingfield Court Residential Care Home in Basingstoke, and there a member of staff suggested he join her in a walking challenge around the garden so that Ian could reach the milestone of his 110th marathon.

Over the course of July 2026, Ian walked laps of the garden every day to complete his last marathon, and said he felt proud to be “doing something that I never thought I would do again”.

When Ian was diagnosed with PPPD in 2025, he said it was “life changing”.

“My symptoms started suddenly,” he told PA Real Life.

“I found my legs were so heavy, as though I had weights on them… My legs also became wobbly. This had a knock-on effect as I started to become depressed as sometimes I couldn’t get out of bed, as I couldn’t move my legs.”

“The diagnosis was life changing,” he added.

“It stopped me from running, it stopped me socialising with my friends, as I would stay indoors because I had trouble moving my legs. Then depression got hold of me and I felt like a prisoner in my own home.”

After receiving his diagnosis aged 64, Ian was given medical retirement from his job at a young offenders’ institution, where he had worked as an admin clerk since 2021.

In December 2025, Ian – who is single and has no children – decided to move into Basingfield Court Residential Care Home as he “felt (he) needed more care”, adding that the move brought him closer to his brother and sister, who also live in Basingstoke.

“I did find the transition quite difficult,” he admitted, “as I am one of the youngest residents and I was coming together with mostly older residents”.

However, he added: “The staff at Basingfield Court are very supportive and encourage me to do things for myself, where I can.”

In June this year, Ian said that Milly Piper, Sanctuary Care deputy manager at Basingfield Court, suggested the two of them attempt a walking marathon – a feat that would become Ian’s 110th marathon.

Ian had been running since his teens, and said he “enjoyed the freedom and the fresh air I had when I was running, it made me focus”.

“I would watch athletics and past marathons on the TV and thought: ‘I could do that’,” Ian recalled.

“Over time, I started with shorter distances and built myself up to compete in a marathon.”

Since his first marathon in Basingstoke in 1984, Ian has competed in marathons in “quite a few different countries”, running the distance more than 50 times in Europe and even going across the pond to run the New York and Chicago marathons.

“I loved the sightseeing in different countries – each one had their uniqueness,” he said.

“My favourite marathon was Chicago; this was one of the biggest marathons I competed in. The atmosphere was incredible, it had a great feel to it.”

Ian said that in June this year, Milly approached him to say she “had a challenge” for him.

“Milly suggested we complete a walking marathon, equivalent to 26 miles throughout July, around the pathway of the garden at Basingfield Court,” he explained, adding that they decided the challenge would help raise money for the NSPCC.

“Milly thought it would be a good idea, and it would encourage me to get outside more and to mobilise and enjoy the fresh air.

“At first I was a bit apprehensive but with some encouragement and Milly saying that she will do it with me, I accepted the challenge.”

Milly and Ian worked out that 30 laps of the garden was the equivalent of one mile, so they started out by doing three sessions of 10 laps each day, five days a week. Then, as Ian felt able, they increased it to three sessions of 20 laps, and “then we increased the laps to make sure we reached our target of 26 miles by the end of July,” he said.

“Milly would find me after breakfast and say: ‘Come on Ian, let’s go!’…

“I enjoyed the fresh air and chats we had. We would talk about my love of travelling, what was going on in the world today and different sports I used to do like skiing, snowboarding etc. I was a very active man and have travelled more than most throughout my life.”

Ian said he was “very pleased” to complete his challenge on 31 July, and felt it was “very symbolic” to end his marathon career “on an even number 110”.

“There was even a ribbon for me to cross at the end, and the staff and residents were congratulating me,” he said, adding that he raised £160 for the NSPCC.

To other people who are experiencing ill-health but are still keen to keep active, Ian says it’s important not to underestimate the “feel-good factor” of being outdoors and moving your body.

“Even though I initially wasn’t too keen to compete, it helped with someone like Milly encouraging me and not taking no for an answer,” he said.

“Keep pushing yourself. Being outdoors is a feel-good factor, and I was doing something that I never thought I would do again, and it felt good being out in the fresh air…

“It felt quite therapeutic, and it was nice to talk.”

Celebrating Achievement is a new campaign from Sanctuary Care showcasing the remarkable accomplishments of residents across its care homes. Through a digital photo collection, the campaign invites people to celebrate milestones and share the moments they are most proud of. Find out more here.