In 2023, I will be taking on the challenge of running the Cambridge Half Marathon, London Landmarks Half Marathon, Great North Run, Cardiff Half Marathon, the TCS London Marathon and maybe a few others all in aide of the wonderful people at Alzheimers Research UK.

First on the list was the Cambridge Half Marathon. Cambridge is home to Alzheimers Research UK and in honour of that I, along with a number of other ARUK Campaigners ran dressed as an Orange (as if a half marathon wasn't bad enough...).

Next up, after some "long run" training was the London Landmarks Half, a great event in its own right and the perfect warm-up to the full marathon at the end of April.

London in April was epic.There’s a reason that everyone who has ever run a marathon wants to run London,  the atmosphere and encouragement from the crowds can never be understated.

Thins have been a busy over the Summer and training has been a little intermittent but The Great North Tun calls and I’m looking forward to taking part in what will be Mo Farrah’s last race.

The people at Alzheimer’s Research UK work tirelessly to support people and families living with dementia and carry out essential research on treatments and to gain a better understanding of  dementia in the hope that one day we can find a cure or preventative treatment for this cruel disease.

In 2012 my mother was diagnosed with frontotemperal dementia (FTD) which affects there personality, their ability to make decisions and understand things. It is the same form of dementia that Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with (which suddenly makes it a lot easier to explain!£

FTD made independent living a challenge for mum but she remained as independent as possible up until she passed away in December 2022.

Mum and I didn't ever talk about dementia until just before I ran the marathon in 2021. We have lost so many friends and family to the cruel disease and for the first time we talked about everyone, from people from my childhood to Mum's oldest school friend. It was both a lovely and a heartbreaking conversation and she left a message on my phone as I walked to the start line which would break the coldest of hearts.

I've done daft things like run a marathon for ARUK before but with Mum's passing it takes on a new weight and a different meaning and while it will be sad that i won't get a new message from Mum on my way across Blackheath I know that all the challenges I undertake this year will be to help raise vital funds for Alzheimers Research and if it helps just one person or their family to not have to go through what we and mum have been through it will be a worthwhile challenge.

If you are able to support me and ARUK in their endeavors it would greatly appreciated.

 Thank you 

James