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I'm running the Stroud Half Marathon in memory of Alice Farmer, who sadly passed away last October. We were very close friends in our teens, and she was the person who got me doing sport, rather than trying to avoid it! I'm not a big athlete, but I keep fit and active, having got into the habit of attending aerobics classes and going for runs when with Alice when I was 14.

What's more, around the same time, and for several years running, we helped out at the Stroud Half Marathon by starting the clocks, holding the finishing tape, giving out mugs and medals and squash to the finishers.

I asked Alice's parents if they'd like to nominate a charity close to their heart for my memorial run. It turned out that Alice had also run the race when she was 17. After her son was born and cared for at the Special Care Baby Unit at Gloucester Hospital, she hoped she'd run the race again and raise money for them. As it turned out, it wasn't to be, but her mum is very glad that I am doing it and will be thinking of us both on the race day.

Stroud is also my hometown, where Alice and I grew up and spent much of our teenage years.

So for all these reasons this race has a special meaning for me.

This is my first Half Marathon and I have been training since July with the wonderful King's Heath Running Club, who have been fantastically supportive and encouraging throughout.

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