Why run a half marathon? 

To be honest, for the challenge - to prove to myself that I can do it. 

I have always enjoyed walking and being outdoors but I hated PE at school and never considered myself ‘sporty’.   Inspired by Steve Backshall’s film ‘The Toughest Race on Earth’ I entered the ‘Race for Life’ last year just to see what running was all about, and why people bothered with it.  I took the training seriously and to my great surprise I discovered I loved it.  I have been running ever since, but I’ve got a long way to go…

Why Rainforest Concern?

I hate asking for and, even worse, collecting sponsor money so I have to do this for something I feel passionate about.  I could go to great lengths to explain why the preservation of the rainforest is so important but other people can do it far better than I can (www.rainforestconcern.org, www.princesrainforestsproject.org, etc.) but I honestly believe that every penny that goes towards stopping deforestation benefits all of us

I chose Rainforest Concern because I follow Ed Stafford’s ‘Walking the Amazon’ blog (www.walkingtheamazon.com) and it is his nominated rainforest charity.  

£50 will pay for the protection of an acre of rainforest – great value when you consider land prices in this country!

Gill