Hello, and welcome to 5 in 5 for UTASS.

I am setting myself the challenge of running 5 marathons in 5 consecutive days to raise money for an amazing charity called UTASS (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services).

The Challenge:

From Tuesday 24th September 2024 – Saturday 28th September 2024 (inclusive).

Starting each run at 9am (apart from the last run, which will start from Middleton Farmers Market at 9:30am) at the Horsemarket junction with the B6277.

The 5 marathons will take place over different routes, all of which start and finish in Middleton-in-Teesdale. They will be a mix of trail and road routes, covering some very challenging terrain.

Route 1 (trail): Middleton to Cow Green Reservoir car park (and back).

Route 2 (road): From Middleton up Hudeshope Loop, then to Holwick (and back)... twice.

Route 3 (trail): Middleton, over Kirkcarrion (Pennine Way), to Hannah’s Meadow, past Balder Bridge (and back), then Pennine Way to High Force (and back)

Route 4 (trail): Middleton to Barnard Castle along the Teesdale Railway Path (and back), Pennine Way to Low Force (and back).

Route 5 (road): From Middleton Farmers Market, up Hudeshope Loop, then to Holwick (and back)... twice.

(I will be aiming for 26.2 miles for each, but the distances may vary over that as my GPS isn’t great)

About UTASS:

From their office based in Middleton-in-Teesdale, a dedicated team of part-time staff help people living and working across the Durham Dales to gain access to the services, advice and resources that they need so they feel supported, valued, happier and more able to cope.

Having opened their doors to the public back in 2000, after a great deal of hard work from many community members, they continue to help people today to deal with and overcome the challenges that they face.

While the charity was originally started to help local farmers, they now pride themselves on being able to offer support to anyone living and working across the dales.

Your donation will help UTASS to continue to offer valuable, life changing services, including farm business support, activities that bring people together, opportunities for children and young people, community transport, and training. They also have a qualified and experienced team that offers support for those needing help with their emotional well-being, resilience and mental health.

They have supported people affected by bereavement, work- related stress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and in coping with the impact of illnesses such as covid.

UTASS Website

About Me:

I moved to Middleton-in-Teesdale in December 2023 and was immediately drawn to the UTASS office front window, which was full of flyers advertising local events and support to the local community.

Having suffered a mental health crisis at work in London, in 2016, I struggle with anxiety and depression daily. I was drawn to the work that UTASS are doing to help the Durham Dales community, especially where mental health is concerned. It really is a valuable hub, and I want to do my bit to help support them and their incredible work.

My mental health disabilities mean I struggle to do a lot of things, but running is something I love. In 2017, having spent the years since my breakdown stuck indoors and self-medicating with alcohol, I decided enough was enough, so I started exercising in my flat. In 2018 my wife and I moved to Bedfordshire, which was where my running journey began, and it has continued to be a great part of managing my mental fitness.

I set myself running challenges, which I call my Adventures of an Anxious Mind. Since October 2018, I have completed 2 x 10K, 9 x Half Marathons, 7 x Marathons, The Camino de Santiago virtual challenge (480.9 miles in just under 3 months), and over 2,100 miles of monthly challenges.

I am an advocate for highlighting the benefits of exercise (at any level) and getting out in nature as ways of helping to manage your mental fitness. They are not a cure, but the benefits are well documented. I am also passionate about educating people and raising awareness of mental illness, and I hope that through my challenges I can show people what is possible, despite having a mental health disability.

My Website

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I really appreciate any donation you are able to make.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, I will withdraw funds directly. It's the most efficient way to donate and saves time and costs.