My partner Suzy got me into this half marathon. In a moment of madness I said yes. Then the reality dawned. Desperate measures were required. So I went on a motorcycle track day in Jerez, came off the bike at high speed and broke my shoulder blade. The race suit didn't come out of it too well either.

Unfortunately, that ruse has not worked. Seems that the shoulder has not stopped me from running, so I along with 33 other volunteers are representing Rentokil Initial on Sunday 6th October in the Royal Parks Half Marathon, round Hyde Park and along the Embankment to Temple.

Please go to the Rentokil Initial Pests & Germs web site and donate to your preferred charities and runners - we are running for several different charities, all very worthy causes and all in receipt of UK Gift Aid. So nice to get the tax back, isn't it? Chris Filby our head of tax might not smile a lot, but one can understand why he radiates such serenity.