Sisters to open Bidwells Cambridge 10k 2026: “We don’t know what the future holds. But we’ve got each other.”

Three sisters will open our annual Bidwells Cambridge 10k before two of them join thousands of runners to complete the course. They talk openly about living with muscular dystrophy and the importance of starting this year’s race together.

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Coady: At 29, I’m the oldest of the three of us. My younger sisters, Frankie, 23, and Cerys, 17, both live with myotonic dystrophy, a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness, fatigue and other symptoms that can make everyday tasks harder than they should be.

It’s more than tired legs or sore muscles. It can impact grip, mobility, vision, heart rhythm and energy levels. Despite them both having the same condition, it affects them in different ways.

Signs and symptoms

Frankie: The symptoms were subtle to begin with. The first thing that I noticed was that I couldn’t smile and I couldn’t work out why. It turned out that my mum was a carrier of the gene, which was passed on to me, but she doesn’t live with the condition.

I was diagnosed at our local hospital in Fife, aged 12.

“As a teenager, it’s hard to process that life-changing news. At the time, I didn’t really understand what the condition was.”

As time has gone on, things are slowly getting worse, such as struggling with reaching around things and my grip strength.

When Cerys was born, we didn’t know if she was going to have the condition. Or if she’d just be a carrier like my mum. After genetic testing we now know that she has the same condition, but it presents itself in completely different ways. I’ve deteriorated more rapidly; for example, Cerys can smile whereas I can’t.

Coady: The condition presents more severely in Frankie, whilst Cerys currently has minimal symptoms. As Frankie grows older, different symptoms are becoming more apparent. It’s things that others may not notice so much, but when you’re living with it day in day out, it can become a big thing.

Affecting the whole family

Coady: Whilst I don’t have the condition myself, when your family members are diagnosed with a muscle wasting condition, it doesn’t just affect the individual but the whole family. When Frankie was diagnosed a decade ago, we all did a lot of learning and understanding about what it would mean for her and us as a whole family. We wanted to ensure we provided the best possible support.

Over the years, it’s been a slow deterioration. Things that someone takes for granted daily become more difficult for them. We slowly started to notice these small changes and try to do all we can to help. We don’t know what the future holds. But we’ve got each other.

Genetic testing

Cerys: After witnessing Frankie living with the condition. I felt the right decision would be to get tested last year. As me and Frankie share the same mum, it was possible that I was either a carrier or living with the condition. It came back positive… I had the condition too.

It wasn’t a total shock to receive the news, as it’s a 50 per cent chance, so you half expect it. I’ve seen Frankie living with the condition most of my life and how she has adapted. Since receiving my diagnosis, I feel nothing has really changed. I’ve always lived with it. I just never knew it. And now I do.

Currently my condition is manageable. The main purpose of getting tested was to receive that confirmation. It’s also to help my future self, should I want to start a family now I have a condition. If so, would I pass it on to my children? Getting the diagnosis will help me get further clarification to so many unanswered questions.

A love for running

Coady: I joined a running club in Cambridge last year and we do different 10ks around the country. The club always supports the Bidwells Cambridge 10k each year.

It was nice to sign up and see the event was supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK – a fitting cause for me personally as I see firsthand my sisters living with a muscle wasting condition. My boyfriend, Jake, will join Cerys and I on the 10k run, whilst Frankie cheers us all on.

Being the race starters

Coady: What an honour to officially start this year’s event together with my sisters and then join the runners to complete the course, for a cause that’s so important.

It’s more personal for us because we know the impact of living with a muscle wasting condition every day. To see the whole of Cambridge coming together to support Muscular Dystrophy UK is special.