I was diagnosed with a rare differentiated cancer during September 2016.  As a result I was referred to Professor Seckl and his team at Charing Cross Hospital.  Here I was treated for germ cell differentiated tumours.  Fortunately, the chemotherapy and the expert care led by Professor Seckl has been successful to date and I look forward to returning to full health and resuming my sporting activities particularly in triathlon and running by the end of 2017.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Professor Seckl and his team for the excellent care and expertise I received at Charing Cross Hospital.  In addition, I'd like to thank the oncology nursing staff especially during my long bouts of chemotherapy (63 hours at a time). 

On the weekend of 8th April David Mitchell is setting out to be the first person to run the Cotswold Way there and back, (c.204 miles).  At 08:00 hrs.  'Mitch' as we affectionately call him, will set off from Chipping Campden to Bath Abbey where the CW ends and then return along the same route.  He is aiming to complete the first 102 miles in approximately 20-22 hours, before returning to Chipping Campden, completing the second 102 miles on Monday morning.

Mitch is raising funds to support the Cancer Treatment and Research Trust at Charing Cross Hospital which has been responsible for caring for me during my illness and that care continues to the present day.

Mitch is no stranger to long distance running.  In March 2012, he set the then record for the Cotswold Way in under 21 hours.  This was his first attempt at 100 miles and more.  Since this time, Mitch has run several 100+ milers and shorter ultra marathons ranging from 30-80+ miles.  In the past few months, he has run distances of 40-60 miles each Saturday and followed this up with relatively shorter runs of 15-30 miles on Sunday.  For this challenge, Mitch will be accompanied by a succession of running buddies in a relay comprising members of my local club, Evesham Vale Running Club and Cotswold Running, a local company run by ultra runners Nic and Kurt Dusterhoff.  His running companions will help keep him on track and motivated when fatigue sets in and will encourage him to keep moving during those dark hours of Saturday night and Sunday morning.

With breaks for food, support and rest limited to under an hour, this will be as close to a non-stop 204 mile run as you can get.

In the final 75 miles, Mitch will need all the motivation he can get, so please donate generously to help him push through the pain and discomfort, darkness and exhaustion to reach Chipping Campden on Monday morning 10th April.

The CTRT helps patients and supports research for choriophoblastic/gestational trophoblastic disease including: lung cancer, testicular, ovarian and germ cell tumours of which the hospital is the world's largest centre . Whilst I was having my chemotherapy, there were patients from all over the UK. 

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