Earlier this year I entered the New York Marathon on a whim, not dreaming of actually getting a place.  I got lucky through the ballot - first time - and so the hard work began!

I've funded my own entry and travel costs, and decided to run for Pancreatic Cancer UK.  This is an underfunded, aggressive condition that has affected my own family, and those of close friends.  Any money raised will help critical research and ultimately save lives.

I've left it fairly late to start fundraising as I had doubts I'd be able to make it.  I entered the Plymouth half-marathon earlier in the year and injured my knee on a training run the week before, causing me to pull out.

Training runs beyond 10 miles (more than I'd run before) were causing further pain in my knee, however physio from Lauren Noonan at Amicus Therapy has sorted my ailments and it's now all systems go.

I'm up to 20 miles in training and running at a good pace several times a week, so now confident in finishing and hoping to come in under 3:45 hours.

Any donations, however modest, would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Matt