As many of you know I quite enjoy going out for a run once in a while. My real love is running around remote and wild terrain in beautiful places testing out the
boundaries of my capabilities. This has led me to explore and discover some incredible places and push myself to do things I would not have thought myself
capable of. Most of the time I do this all in the name of fun, however, I have signed up for a challenge that I’d like to use as a purpose to raise some valuable money for a cause that is dear to my family’s heart, and whose amazing work I’ve seen first hand.

Demelza provides specialist care and emotional support for children with serious or terminal conditions and their loved ones, so they can enjoy time together as
a family, for as long as they have. I have seen their work first hand and was taken aback by the kindness, compassion and care that they showed our family, and it is a privilege to be able to give a small amount back. I have always had in the back of my mind that one day I would like to do a sponsored run of some sort once I had found an event that I think is worthy of that, and having signed up to take part in the 2021 Dragons Back Race, I think I have found that event and the most worthy of causes.

The Dragon’s Back Race begins in Conwy on the northern coast of Wales and follows a wild, trackless, and remote mountainous route throughout the whole of Wales and finishes in the far south at Cardiff Castle. It covers 380km, which is over 9 marathons, and incorporates 17,400m of vertical climbing, which is equivalent to ascending Everest from sea level more than twice over. Today, it is considered to be the toughest mountain race in the world. If you’d like to have a look at it in a bit more detail the race event webpage is here:

https://www.dragonsbackrace.com/

I have spent much of 2021 visiting Wales and recce’ing various parts of the course and I know that this race is going to provide the toughest test I’ve yet found in my ultra running journey and will require me to dig deeper than I ever have before. Knowing that raising funds for such a great cause rests on me doing this will serve to provide a great deal more motivation to see this job to the end.

My employer, Lazard Asset Management, have very kindly agreed to match all donations made up to £5,000, so any donations you make will effectively be doubled. Many thanks for taking the time to visit this page, read my story and a massive thanks for your donation! Please feel free to share with anyone else!

Chris xx