My name is Nigel Smith, and as many of you will know I am a bit of a marathon runner having run 15 marathons over the last 10 years or so.  For a few years now, I have been considering a bigger challenge, moving away from traditional road marathons to cross country trail style runs.  

Many of you will know that last year my close life-long friend Ray (Strat) Sturgess died from Pancreatic Cancer, aged just 43. For sometime, I have been thinking of a way to fundraise in his memory. With this in mind, I have chosen the charity, Pancreatic Cancer UK (www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk). The survival rate for this type of cancer is extremely low (after diagnosis, only about 15% survive past a year, and only 3% live for more than five years).  

I have decided to take part in the Jurassic Coast Challenge (http://www.votwo.co.uk/votwo2007/events-and-adventure/race_view.php?v=2&c=1&i=71) a full 26.2 mile marathon each day, for three consecutive days (27-29th March) from Lyme  Regis to Poole, along the beautiful but brutal Dorset coast line. The advertising states “the cowardly won’t start and the weak won’t finish”!! 

The coast in this part of the country is particularly poignant because we spent many family holidays with Ray and his family when we were children here.  Day 2 will be especially emotional as it will take me up and down Portland, through Weymouth, over Bowleaze Cove and on to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. I can recall many happy memories of days spent here.  It is here that I am hoping to see my mother, wife and three young children to spur me on!!

 If anyone happens to be in theWeymouth area on 27-29th March and can offer support along the route, we would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact us at kimsmith@ntlworld.com and we can supply route details. A friendly face always makes the miles a little easier!!