Hi Everyone,

In September, I will be running the length of Wales; from Conwy Castle on the north coast, to Cardiff Castle, in an event called the Dragon’s Back Race! (www.dragonsbackrace.com)

I will be racing over the highest and most rugged mountains in Wales, covering 380km and 17,400m of height gain (equivalent to twice the height of Everest) over 6 days.

Whilst this is undeniably a personal challenge for me, I also want to use this opportunity to raise money to help improve the lives of people living with motor neuron disease (MND) and their families. Any money I raise will go directly to the South Yorkshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), with a request for it to be used for support grants (for adaptations such as riser recliner chairs, stairlifts and hoists), quality of life grants (for transport and holidays) or carer grants (to help relieve pressures on carers for people living with MND).

It is absolutely not guaranteed that I will successfully shuffle my way to Cardiff; in fact, the odds are against me – last year, only 24 % of people who started the race, completed it! But I will continue for as long as my body (and mind) let me.

Actually getting to the start line is a challenge within itself; how do you train for something like this without getting injured along the way?! Needless to say, I’ve had my fair share of injuries, as well as a bout of COVID to hamper progress, but I’ll do my best to get to the start line in the strongest position I can. In preparation for the race, I have run over 2,000km with 91,364m of height gain over the last year! I have trained in a wide range of weather conditions, from snow to blistering sunshine, in daylight and in darkness and from the streets of Sheffield to the wilds of Scotland.

There is normally a huge amount of media coverage for the Dragon’s Back Race, and I will be carrying a tracker so people can track my progress.

Please donate any spare change, it will be greatly appreciated and will give me even more motivation on my way southwards towards Cardiff!

Yours in running,

Sarah,

Dragon-in-training