Starting on my 35th birthday, I'm hoping to conquer the HELL OF A HILL FIVE DAY CHALLENGE, running five marathons in five days over grueling terrain in unforgiving weather.  

I will be raising money for The Christie charity in Manchester, one of the largest cancer centres in Europe, treating over 40,000 patients a year.

**SOME HARDCORE STATS**

30,000 FOOT OF ELEVATION GAIN (EQUIVALENT TO CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST)

131 MILES OF TOUGH STONE TRAIL RUNNING ROUTE IN COLD WINTER MONTHS

40 LAPS OVER RIVINGTON PIKE

12,080 STEPS

With a lot of bullheaded determination and a reckless disregard to my metatarsals, I've managed to shave off nearly 90 minutes from my personal best time. 

EDINBURGH: 4:31:25

WOLVERHAMPTON: 3:57:24

NOTTINGHAM: 3:44:45

GOLD COAST: 3:09:25

My plan for Hell of a Hill is now to finish all five marathons in under 24hrs.  In 2013 I placed 3rd when doing the one-day event with a time of 4:55:57.   REST and RECOVERY being key to going back to back during such challenges (!) having said that,  I'll be performing at five comedy gigs from Thursday to Sunday that week. 

So that’s 5 days, 5 marathons, 5 gigs.  what the hell am I thinking!?!

The lengths a married bloke will go to for some quiet time eh?  ;-)

The week will culminate in a grand finale charity gala at the Frog & Bucket in Manchester on Sunday 16th November.  The show will double up as an after party for all Hell of a Hill participants, and all proceeds will be donated to The Christie. 

Mary McLaughlin from The Christie commented: “We are delighted that Mickey D is taking on this fantastic challenge for our charity.  Doing five marathons back to back will be an amazing achievement – we are so grateful for Mickey’s support which will help to fund life-changing and potentially life-saving projects.”

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 40,000 patients a year.  The Christie is also an international leader for research, with world first breakthroughs in cancer research for over 100 years. 

•           The Christie was first established in 1901 through generous donations and fundraising has continued to support vital development for more than a century. 

•           The Christie charity provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds, supporting life-changing and potentially life-saving projects. 

The Christie charity helps to pay for cancer research, new facilities, high-tech equipment and extra patient services – helping cancer patients both cope with and survive cancer.  

Thanks for reading & for your donation!

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