2026 is set to be an amazing once-in-a-lifetime year as I’ve entered two iconic running events …

UPDATE: BOTH EVENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED

SATURDAY 4 JULY

31 miles / 50 kms

Serpent Trail Ultra Marathon

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST

26.2 miles / 42.2 kms

Sydney Marathon

MY RUNNING STORY … January 2022 saw me nudging closer to my 60th birthday so I started on a ‘Get Up And Run’ course with Haslemere Border Athletic Club (HBAC). Not having run since school, I admit it was a bit of a struggle! However, I persevered and my longest continuous run event has been over 3 hours in Bournemouth's Half Marathon in October 2024.

My running style is slow but tenacious (some might say ‘stubborn’!) and I don’t for one minute underestimate the enormity of the training ahead for these two long distance events, especially as they require very different disciplines.

* July’s Serpent Ultra Marathon is trail-based across a mix of off-road terrain in the stunningly beautiful (yet hilly!) South Downs National Park in West Sussex.

* August’s Sydney Marathon (with a record-breaking application this year of over 123,000) is a full on road event for 40,000 entrants over an undulating city course, starting across the world-famous Harbour Bridge and finishing in front of the harbour’s iconic Sydney Opera House.

Training is well under way and, as you'd expect, is demanding (physically, mentally, emotionally), but I have many to help me out … My weekly running buddies and the wider HBAC community; plus my very own HBAC coach and dear friend, Annalisa, who's been by my (left) side from Day 1 of my running adventures - carrot or stick in one hand and cake in the other, she's always believed me more capable than I do of myself. My wonderful friends and family, and especially my special husband who supports, reassures, and encourages me to "go for it!".

MY CHOSEN CHARITY … I know these challenges require an even more incredible charity to benefit from my fundraising endeavours so I’ve chosen 💙CHARLIE’S PROMISE (though I think it chose me!). It's a very special local charity “dedicated to helping the fight against the rising issue of knife crime in Surrey and across the UK”.

July 2023 holds a life shattering date for the Cosser family. Charlie, known as ‘Cheeks’, lost his life. He was just 17 years old. Two days earlier he had gone with friends to a local private house party where he was targeted by knife violence from a 16 year old. Charlie lay in hospital fighting for his life with his family by his side. It was then that Martin, Charlie’s Dad, made a promise to his son … to dedicate the rest of his life to educate young people about the dangers and devastating impacts of knife crime. Having met some of Charlie’s family and charity volunteers, their deep passion and dedication to educate is tangible. The central mission is aimed at young people - having reached over 100,000 by visiting schools, colleges, and youth groups. They also provide emotional and financial support to affected families. Plus, they work alongside other campaigners, like Fearless, and collaborate with government to effect productive change and to have knife crime education formally integrated within the national curriculum … and Charlie’s Promise is indeed changing the landscape for knife crime.

DONATIONS gratefully welcome … 💙CHARLIE’S PROMISE (Charity Reg. No. 1207246) makes use of every donation to support Martin's promise to his son. With the amazing help and support of his family and charity volunteers, the charity can “educate, inspire and support young people - helping them understand the irreversible consequences of knife crime, and empower them to make safe, positive choices in their life”.

Click links to find out more or find them on socials: Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok ...

https://www.charliespromise.org/

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5234440

Watch ITV's 'TikTok: Murder Gone Viral' documentary episode ...

https://www.itv.com/watch/tiktok-murder-gone-viral/10a2945/10a2945a0004

UPDATE: Serpent Trail 50k now complete - which was a crazy hot day! Now for my final training sessions in preparation for Sydney's Marathon. Please kindly accept the 'Send to All' approach (as I have 100s of personal and work contacts listed across all social platforms, which would make it a time-consuming and onerous task to manually edit).

💙CHARLIE’S PROMISE are immensely grateful for your consideration and donation. Thanx for reading, supporting and donating, Emma Moore