In May 2021, I ‘successfully’ completed a 100km run from London to Brighton.

I say ‘successfully’. I completed the 100km, however the run took me hours longer than planned due to various factors: a knee injury sustained a few weeks before the race; heatstroke; vomiting; and hallucinations!

So I feel I’ve got unfinished business with the 100km distance.

For that reason – and, more importantly, in an attempt to raise £450 for Macmillan Cancer Support - I’ve signed up to take part in Race to the Stones on July 09 2022.

Route - Threshold Trail Series

Race to the Stones is a 100km route from Lewknor in Oxfordshire, following the ancient Ridgeway (the oldest footpath in Britain) and finishing at Avebury Stone Circle in Wiltshire.

The route passes by Uffington White Horse, Barbury Castle and Wayland’s Smithy.

Hopefully, with one 100k ultra under my belt, a few 50km ultramarathons and several trail marathons now completed, I’m aiming to finish well under the 18.5 hours it took me to complete 100km last year; ideally finishing whilst it’s still (just) daylight rather than in the middle of the night!

In preparation, I started training towards the end of November 2021.

In 2022 I’ve already completed Stonehenge Stomp 40k (I got lost twice – as usual - and actually ran over 43km!) and started the year by running 127 miles / 204km in January.

In the build up to Race to the Stones I’ve also got the following events pencilled in the diary as a warm up:

• April - Testway 40 (mile) Ultramarathon
• May - Winchester BigWayRound 50k Ultramarathon
• June - Salisbury Plain Marathon
  

As mentioned above, the ultimate aim is to raise £450 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Any donation, no matter how small, would be gratefully appreciated.

Be assured I’ll certainly be trying my best and working my hardest to earn it!

Here’s some more information on the important work Macmillan do:

“At Macmillan, we give people with cancer everything we’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are our worries. We’re doing whatever it takes. But without your help we can’t support everyone who needs us. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs.

Being told ‘you have cancer’ can affect so much more than your health – it can also affect your family, your job, even your ability to pay the bills. But you’re still you. We get that. And, after over 100 years of helping people through cancer, we get what’s most important: that you’re treated as a person, not just a patient. It’s why we’ll take the time to understand you and all that matters to you, so we can help you get the support you need to take care of your health, protect your personal relationships and deal with money and work worries.

We’re here to help you find your best way through from the moment of diagnosis, so you’re able to live life as fully as you can.

From the moment you’re diagnosed with cancer, through your treatment and beyond, Macmillan provides physical, financial and
emotional support”