I'm sure most of you know that sadly my grandfather "Didi" passed away this Spring. He was a loving, wise and above all courageous man and his death has and continues to leave a big whole in all our lives.

You probably also know that while he rarely discussed it, he suffered from acute rheumatoid arthritis for more than 40 years. Receiving such a life changing diagnosis in his early thirties, especially for disease about which little was known at the time, must have been terrifying and for many could have spelled an early and inglorious retirement. Not for him.

Despite the debilitating affects of the illness (and the powerful medication) he continued to work and adventure across the world chasing what he loved... oil. Surviving Libyan revolutions, North Sea helicopter crashes and Kazakhstani camel milk, he had a career that spanned both decades and continents and proved that he would not be beaten - by this disease or by anything else. 

It is almost inappropriate to run this race in memory of him because he in no way let this illness affect the way he lived his life, in this way and in so many more he is an inspiration to us. 

So this is for all the sufferers out there who refuse to suffer. This is for you Didi....