I ran my 10th London Marathon in October 2022, and had decided that it would be my last one (at least for a few years!). I was quite late in starting my training, after having a tumour removed from my leg the previous year (fortunately non-cancerous) and then picking up a couple of injuries at the start of 2022, including plantar fasciitis which stopped me running for two months, so had to ramp up my training very quickly!

The race itself went fairly well, but the late start to my training, resulted in a very challenging last 10 miles! I crossed the finish line and immediately texted my wife and children stating “I’m glad I don’t have to do that again for another 3.5 years!” 

...30 minutes later, I’m stood outside a pub with my son Tom, having a celebratory beer, when Tom says “I’m definitely going to do it next year, are you really not going to do it with me? I immediately responded with an “absolutely not!”

...an hour later and I’m having a pizza (and another celebratory beer) and I ask Tom if he’s really going to do it next year! He says “definitely” and I’m already reconsidering my decision!

...the following day I enter the ballot for 2023!!! 🤣

The London Marathon is a very special race and I’m delighted to be running it again, particularly with my son (though he may be slightly quicker than me!). 

I ran for Children with Cancer UK in both 2012 and 2013, so thought it would be good to raise funds for them again in 2023! They’re a fantastic charity doing important work supporting children (and their families) suffering with this horrible disease.

My wife has previously recovered from mouth cancer following radiotherapy and I have also had a couple of close shaves (the large, but fortunately benign tumour in my thigh and a cutaneous horn on my head that had to be removed) and the thought of a young child and their family having to deal with this is heart breaking, which is why I'm pleased to be part of the CwCUK  team.

Children with Cancer UK actively raise and invest money for vital specialist research to save the lives of every child with cancer and keep their family together. Their vision is a world where every child diagnosed with cancer gets to ring their end of cancer treatment bell.