The reason for running this marathon is to raise money for an amazing charity, the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, as well as to support a very good friend of mine, Craig Maxwell.

The moment you meet Craig your life is immeasurably better for it. He is funny, overly generous (except for when you are negotiating deals with him), he has an incredibly infectious appetite for life and will always put everyone else first. In short he is frustratingly nice (he would also add devilishly handsome. I’m still to be convinced).

Last year, at the age of 40, Craig was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer. This unforeseen diagnosis has obviously had a devastating impact on him and everyone in his life. Incredibly, despite all of this, Craig’s enthusiasm, energy and appetite for life remains undimmed which is how we find ourselves running the marathon together.

He is determined to continue living life to the full and this will be one of several challenges he’s going to undertake. Hopefully, by doing this one with him I can help in a very small way.

I forgot to add that Craig is very stubborn. He will be determined to beat me and probably will.

Any donations as we embark on this duel across the streets of London would be enormously appreciated.