Isaac takes on the Great North Run to support his girlfriend Lucy

Newcastle resident Isaac Rennie, 21, is running the Great North Run for his girlfriend Lucy, 21, in aid of charity Versus Arthritis after her shock rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis at only 17 years old.

Noticing the first arthritis symptoms

Around the time of the first lockdown in 2020 Lucy started to notice a regular feeling of pain in her fingers and wrists. Like many of us, Lucy had decided to take up a new hobby in lockdown and for her it was playing the guitar, so she really thought nothing of these new pains. It wasn’t long after this that she noticed swelling in her knees leaving her feeling lost, confused and in constant pain.

“One day my knees were so swollen I remember crying to my parents from the pain and not being able to walk down the stairs. I didn’t know what was going on inside my body and I was really worried. I was supposed to be getting ready and excited for university. Instead, I was being rushed to the doctors for blood tests to find out what was causing this pain,” Lucy recalls.

It didn’t take long for the blood test to come back revealing a high level of inflammation and a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Shortly after, Lucy was put on steroids to ease the pain and eventually found the right biological injection that has since helped her get her life back on track.

Isaac and Lucy's journey

Isaac and Lucy met at 18 before embarking on their university journey together in Newcastle and they have been together ever since.  Isaac has been Lucy's side through the ups and downs arthritis brings to her life.

This year, after watching what Lucy has been through, Isaac has decided to run the Great North Run in aid of charity Versus Arthritis, a cause that is now close to both their hearts.

“It has been difficult watching Lucy when she has a bad day," Isaac said. "It was particularly striking to me at the beginning, as one day she would be fine and the next she’d struggle to walk. We have adapted to this and now know the best ways to support her, when I am training this is always in the front of my mind and I know Lucy’s strength getting through what she does will carry me to the finish line”.

Versus Arthritis is the UK’s leading dedicated charity funder of groundbreaking arthritis research and has been involved in breakthroughs which have changed the landscape for people with rheumatoid arthritis, reducing chronic pain and helping them regain independence. The charity is working towards a future where people can live free from the pain of arthritis.

Now four years on from her diagnosis, Lucy has completed university and has just moved into her first home with Isaac.

“The thing that has surprised me the most since my diagnosis is how much freedom and life you can still have with a chronic condition. When I first got diagnosed I thought any independence would be gone forever but now, after living alone at university and with the right medication, I have realised that a diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end of everything. I am eternally grateful for Versus Arthritis, from being able to listen to the stories of others and not feeling alone, to the researchers who have provided me with medication to help me be pain free. It’s such a good community that I’m proud to be part of!”

Isaac has already raised more than £680 and will be joining Team Versus Arthritis on Sunday 7th September in the Great North Run.

Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, said:

“Over 10 million people in the UK have arthritis - that’s one in six living with the pain, fatigue and disability it can cause. Something Lucy knows all too well.

“The Great North Run is an incredible event and every year I am in awe of the dedication and commitment from all those taking it on. The impact of arthritis can be huge, affecting the ability to work, care for family, move free from pain and live independently.

“I am incredibly grateful to everyone in taking part in the Great North Run 2025 and fundraising for Versus Arthritis and I wish the very best of luck to you all!”