Date Published: August 12, 2026
ESP Physio is proud to confirm that Steve Maguire will be lacing up for the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in Glasgow on Sunday, 4th October 2026 and we’re delighted to be playing a small part in getting him there.
How ESP Physio Is Helping Steve Train Safely
Steve’s football-playing days left him with knees that have seen better decades. Before committing to months of half marathon training, he needed to know his body could handle the load — so ESP Physio, Grangemouth, donated a VALD Testing Session to put him through his paces.
Our VALD athlete screening gives a detailed, data-driven picture of strength, movement and injury risk — the kind of insight that matters when someone with old football injuries is about to ramp up running volume for the first time in years. It’s the same technology-led approach we use with athletes and active clients across Grangemouth and Falkirk to catch problems before they become injuries, not after.
The results were approved on Thursday, 6th August 2026, and Steve’s training is officially underway.
Why Steve, and Why Running (Which He Hates)
Steve will be the first to tell you he’s not a runner. His long-standing position – one he insists should qualify as a protected belief under the Equality Act 2010 – is that “anything over 5km is a taxi journey.” So it’s fair to ask what changed his mind.
The answer is an article in The Times on 17th July 2026, which told the story of Jo Fuller, 51. After reading it, Steve reached out to Jo directly to ask what he could do to help.
Jo’s Story
Jo was diagnosed two years ago with glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain tumour, where average life expectancy after diagnosis is around one year and only 4% of patients survive five years or more. Jo took the heartbreaking decision to sell her family home in Nottingham to fund treatments not routinely available on the NHS, including hyperthermia therapy – which heats the tumour to 42–43°C alongside chemotherapy costing £3,000 per cycle – and, in time, IOZK immunotherapy in Germany, unlicensed in the UK and costing a minimum of £67,000.
In Jo’s own words: “I’ve always told myself I’ll be part of the 1% of long-term survivors. I refuse to let glioblastoma decide my future.”
It’s that determination that convinced Steve – someone who genuinely dreads running – to take on 13.1 miles anyway.
How You Can Help
A JustGiving page goes live at the end of next week, with the link to follow in our next update. Whether you want to support Jo, back Steve, or simply enjoy watching a committed non-runner suffer for a good cause, every donation counts.
90% of funds raised go directly to Jo, with the remaining 10% going to Brain Tumour Research, supporting research for patients whose stories are still to be told.
If you or your business would like to help Jo reach her target, get in touch with Steve directly at steve@creideasach.co.uk.
Follow the Journey
For behind-the-scenes training updates (and Steve’s ongoing suffering), Abigail is posting regularly on Steve’s Instagram: @steve_where_is_my_taxi.
For broader updates, follow along on LinkedIn: Steve Maguire on LinkedIn.
ESP Physio is honoured to have helped get Steve ready for the start line — and we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.
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