I ran the second Right to Movement Palestine Marathon in Bethlehem on 11 April 2014 for Team Amos to show solidarity and to raise funds for our local partners working for a just peace. And I am also running the Edinburgh Marathon on 25 May.

Thank you for your support.

At 8.00am on Friday 11 April I duly set off from Manger Square in Bethlehem to take part in the 2nd Palestine Right to Movement Marathon. It was an amazing experience and one that will live with me for a long time. The route took us alongside the separation wall, through a refugee camp and as far as the edge of Palestinian controlled territory before returning to the start - and then repeating. It was certainly not flat!

You have helped to raise well over £2000 to help support those working in Palestine to bring practical support and campaign for a just peace for Palestine and Israel. From what I saw during the rest of my time in Israel and Palestine a peaceful solution will be an uphill struggle. But there are some very inspirational people (both Palestinian and Israeli) that make you believe that one day this might just happen.

If you want to see a short video of the marathon see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCV-QgoS7-0&sns=em

And my marathon facts for those of you who are interested: Well - I was 7th overall in a time of 3hrs 20mins 46 secs (ok out of 113 finishers - this isn't the London Marathon!) I feel compelled to say that my time might have been quicker - but I had to nip into a grocers store to find a loo - which was occupied and lost me at least 4 mins!  There are no portaloos to be found in Palestine! The full results are here: https://app.lap.io/event/2014-palestine-marathon/results?category=RACE-42k

The money raised by Team Amos will be split between their 3 partners in Palestine:

Holy Land Trust works in Bethlehem and across the West Bank to strengthen & inspire local communities with non violent initiatives such as rebuilding demolished homes. T

Wi’am Conflict Resolution Centre in Bethlehem, which provides counselling and support for families under strain due to the impact of the overcrowding, unemployment and community tensions caused by the occupation.

Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City. Despite shortages of medicines and supplies caused by Gaza’s border being closed for months at a time, the staff of this charity hospital work tirelessly to provide what treatment they can for local people, including maternity services, A&E and cancer care.