I'm not actually running from Budapest to London. That would be too much.

But …. on October 11th, I am running the Budapest Marathon and, on April 26th, the London Marathon. (UPDATE: Budapest is done!)

I was diagnosed with Stage 3C bowel cancer (colon cancer for my American friends) in April 2013. After having my tumour surgically removed and doing 6 months of chemotherapy, I am currently NED (no evidence of disease). There is quite a reasonable chance of the cancer coming back so I have to go for regular blood tests and scans. 

Living with this uncertainty is not easy but I am fortunate to be healthy and luckier than many. Along with family and friends, running has been one of the main things that has kept me going. I wasn’t setting any records, but I ran throughout my chemotherapy and it always helped clear my head and gave me hope.

I’m running in support of Beating Bowel Cancer, an excellent charity that, amongst many other things, provides nurses who give support to bowel cancer patients. Emotional support is very important for cancer patients, but so is clear information from nurses with specialised experience about treatment options and the effects, for example, of living with a big chunk of your bowel removed. That’s what Beating Bowel Cancer does.

I’m running in memory of my Dad, who died in 2012 from a brain tumour. He was a life-long runner and completed many, many marathons in times I could only dream about. He ran right up until the end of his life (when he could barely walk) and  is still a constant source of inspiration.

If you could spare a bit of your hard-earned cash to support me and help other bowel/colon cancer patients, it would be hugely appreciated. Thank you for all your support.