My running started in April 2022 when I joined one of the local running groups called Mountain Goats. Within one year from NO running (April 2022 to April 2023, I'll be running Manchester Marathon on 16th April 2023 for Mates in Mind to bring awareness across the construction sector on mental health issues that increased in recent years.

To begin with, I was very slow and the 5k run was a problem, also running outside, humidity, weather, and hills were pretty difficult. In July I joined the Parkrun for Saturday runs and to improve my PB which originally was 41min for 5k in local Brierley Huthwaite park and was shocked at the time how difficult it is to run outside in comparison to just treadmill runs in the gym...

Then slowly since Summer time, I started to run more regularly, the first 10k in June, the first 14k in July, I thought I will die, muscles pain was impossible!

Then in October I suddenly thought about running the Manchester marathon and felt inspired by colleagues from the local running group who completed London and York marathons and this is when the vision came up!

Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of Mates in Mind and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Mates in Mind: Mates in Mind is a registered UK charity raising awareness, addressing the stigma of poor mental health and promoting positive mental wellbeing across workplaces. We help to make sense of available options and support employers to address mental health within their workplace. Together we can be the change needed to improve workplace mental health. Be a mate. Be the change.