This year I will be running 10 marathons in 10 months, starting in Manchester in March and finishing in Newcastle in November. The challenge will be called 'the Chris Hills 10 in 10' in memory of my friend Chris Hills who put up a tremendous fight against Leukemia but tragically died from it in 2003.
The chalenge is now up to the 8th race and things are going nicely. So far I have got lost and ran a 30 miler, run in a hurricane and done some very hilly marathons, as well as one on sand which really hurt! I added my favourite race the Swaledale Mountain Marathon in the middle as a bit of an add on too.
Thoughts have now turned to the GNR though, another add-on to the campaign. Myslef and a team of 3 other hardened athletes will be running in costume as Tetris Blocks with support from my dear mother who's costume is not yet decided. We will be running with cash buckets, my only worry is my hands will be too sore to hold my pint at the end..... 'Team 10in10' can be found at the bottom left of this page.
I spent most of my early/mid-twenties abroad so I was not around when Chris died- when I left I thought he had made a full recovery. I know he doesn’t mind, but there is still a little bit of guilt and sadness at having not said goodbye. This is my way of saying farewell, and the 10 marathons in 10 months are done in his name and memory.
You can follow my progress on my running club's website, http://www.elvet-striders.org.uk/, on the right hand side is a link to each race report, links also posted on twitter, my username is @andy10in10. There is a Facebook Group set up as well called 'the Chris Hills 10 in 10' that anyone is welcome to join.
Sponsorship is going wonderfully, we are up to £3000 at the moment but of course there is a long way to go to the £5000 target. Please spread the word of the challenge to anyone who knew Chris, or those who have been affected by this terrible disease. We will get to the big 5K I'm sure.
My work, Cintra HR & Payroll services, are supporting me along the way. I hope with their help I can raise a lot of money and even exceed my target. Please visit http://www.cintra.co.uk/news/the-chris-hills-10-in-10-update for more info.
A quote from Bee Movie that I can relate to....
According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway, because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.
Thanks for your support
Andrew
