<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">It&rsquo;s my 30th birthday this year and in one last vain attempt to prove my youth and virility I have entered two marathons in April 2011: Paris on the 10th April and the Virgin London Marathon on the 17th April. <br />&nbsp;<br />Whilst I am running mainly to rage against the dying of the light I thought it would be a good idea to use this foolhardy endeavour to raise money for charity. As always I will be raising money to aid in epilepsy research in memory of a good friend from university, Dave Scourse, who suffered from epilepsy and passed away a few years ago.&nbsp; All donations made&nbsp; will go to NYCPE who care and support for young people with epilepsy - see their link elsewhere on this page for more details.<br />&nbsp;<br />For any of you thinking of buying me a birthday present or a celebratory drink please instead donate money towards this worthwhile cause instead - reaching my fundraising target would be an excellent birthday present!If I achieve my fundraising total I will run round in fany dess for the London marahon. Please make suggestions as to what I should wear when you donate!<br />&nbsp;<br />I am aiming for a solid Paris marathon time of around 3hr 25min &ndash; I will be joined on the run by Mum and Dad (who have inspired me all through life to keep up running!) and my sister (champion cross country runner at school). <br />&nbsp;<br />For London (a week later!) I am aiming for a new PB. I ran the same race in 2hrs 55min in 2008 so anything bettter than that would be a result. Feel free to provide me with performance related sponsorship. Anyone who is free on the 17th April please come and cheer on the race and share a few celebratorory drinks afterwards - more details nearer the time.<br />&nbsp;<br />I often get asked how I train &ndash; this year I have started a blog/online diary which I aim to keep updated regularly so that you can see how everything is going. You can see the blog at: <a href="http://30thmarathonmadness.blogspot.com/">http://30thmarathonmadness.blogspot.com/</a><br />&nbsp;<br />Thank you for your support!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Mike</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>