After deciding one marathon was too easy, my fundraising challenge for 2021 is going to be one of the hardest things I have attempted since my time indulging in the extreme sport that was making a 9am lecture the Thursday after a Cameo Wednesday. 

So, for this year, my aim is to run four marathons, in four weeks... Yep, even as I type this, I am realising its probably not a good idea.

On September 5th I will be running the first of this stretch of four 26.2-mile races, the ABP Southampton Marathon. 

The week after on September 12^th, I will be heading to Surrey to take part in the Bacchus Marathon. This unique event takes place in Dorking through England’s largest vineyard, so will also be a test of my resolution to stay sober for the entirety of 2021.

For September the 19^th, its back to Dorset and another scenic event. The Purbeck Marathon is number three on my list, and an event that isn’t renowned for its lack of inclines… I haven’t made this easy for myself.

Then on September 25th I will be partaking in the New Forest Marathon for a second year in a row, my fourth and final marathon in the space of 4 weeks. After which I will be cracking open a J20 and probably having an early night.

Distance running is as much of a mental challenge as it is a physical one, so it felt appropriate to undertake these events for the mental health charity Mind. If the last year and beyond has made one thing clear, it is that mental health is an integral part of fitness, an integral part of our wellbeing and something that is chronically undervalued and underappreciated when we talk about our general health. 

26.2 miles multiplied by four is 104.8 miles. I have set the fundraising target for this challenge at £524, £5 for every mile covered. However, I am hopeful of raising above and beyond this target.

I am undertaking this challenge for every single person who has faced mental health challenges, no matter how big or small, for every single person who still faces struggles with their mental wellbeing, and for every single person who may one day face those hardships. Every single donation will benefit this fantastic cause, and will motivate me to ignore my sore, angry legs across the coming months. Should any or all of the events be postponed to 2022 or cancelled, I will still run 26.2 miles every weekend in September to reach my fundraising target.

Updates and much hilarity to follow.

All my love,

Lee xoxo