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I'm not really running the London Marathon as a challenge (or even as a race) but I guess I'm running it partly because I've never run a road marathon ever before (until just recently I didn't even own any road running shoes!) and partly because I really need to do it to gain some much needed running credibility from my non-fell running friends and colleagues - like the proverbial tree falling in a forest not existing if you don't hear it, most of my running exploits have been in events that most 'normal people' have never heard of.

And, if you haven't heard of them, then they clearly don't exist!

I'm already a long time running enthusiast (running obsessive?) and for many years now most of my running has taken place in the hills of the Yorkshire Dales, where I live, the Lake District, the North York Moors, the Peak District or Scotland, with the occasional forays to the coastal paths of Cornwall and Pembrokeshire thrown in.

Nowadays I run mostly for fun with Harry, my trusty border collie side kick, but I do also compete (of a fashion) in half a dozen or so races each year, usually longish distance fell races or even longer distance ultra's. 

On the ultra front I've had a crack at the 42 mile High Peak Marathon (4 times), the 62 mile Fellsman (4 times), last summer the Lakeland 100 for the first (but definitely not the last) time, the 32 mile Haworth Hobble and just recently before Christmas the Frostbite 30. In 2013 I also successfullly completed a 65 mile Bob Graham Round (42 Lakeland peaks within 24 hours). I've also completed a fair smattering of toughish fell races including the 3 Peaks, and Borrowdale and others besides.

Incidentally I've already entered the Fellsman again this year, which is two weeks after the London Marathon, so with a bit of luck I'll be nicely 'warmed up' for it!

More seriously I know that the London Marathon will be tough and I'm hoping to do it in a sub 3 hours 30 minute time too, which sure won't make it any easier. I'm running with a team sponsored by my employer, Investec, and am aiming to raise at least £1,000 in the process for Mountain Rescue who do such fantastic work in the hills, saving lost and injured adventurers day in day out.

Please do sponsor me and this extremely worthy cause and wish me luck 'darn sarf' next April

Brian (aka Stolly)

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