On 3 August, I'm taking on the challenge to run a 62k trail run (with 4.000m elevation) in the Alps. In the last years, the fastest finishers for a similar route took ~10-11 hours depending on the weather conditions, so I expect to be on my feet for some time.. I would like to use this opportunity to raise awareness and money for a cause that's close to my heart: ME / CFS Research.

With the outbreak of Covid, the amount of people affected by ME / CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome, sometimes referred to as 'long Covid') has increased significantly. It often develops after an acute viral or bacterial infection from which people seem unable to fully recover. Symptoms include flu-like malaise, sleep difficulties, brain fog and a profound fatigue that is unlike normal tiredness all of which significantly impact quality of life. Many of the affected are children and young adults.

Currently, ME/CFS has no effective drug treatment, so biomedical research is key to help advance the understanding of the illness, find the causes, improve diagnosis and treatment, and, ultimately, arrive at a cure.

ME Research UK is focused on exactly this research - But research is expensive and becoming more so every day. That’s why your support is much needed!