Hello to all my friends, family, and everyone I have shamelessly spammed on email and social media,

On the 5th August I will be attempting to run the North Downs Way 100, a 103 mile (yes 103 mile, 167km!) ultramarathon to raise awareness of and money for MDS UK.

Last August, our family was rocked by the news that my Dad has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a rare form of blood cancer in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy blood cells. Affecting only 5 in 100,000 people, MDS is an incredibly rare and degenerative condition, for which there is currently no cure.

Fortunately, our family has had incredible support from MDS UK, an extraordinary charity that provides invaluable help and support to patients like my Dad, keeping them abreast of clinical trials and promoting awareness of the disease.

Any donations are greatly appreciated and will help towards other MDS patients getting the support they need when they receive a life changing diagnosis.

What is the North Downs Way 100?

The North Downs Way 100 is a 103 miles (167km) ultramarathon starting in Farnham in Surrey and ending in Ashford in Kent.

In addition to covering the distance, I'll also have to contend with an ascent of 11,000 ft (3350m) - more than climbing the largest mountain in England, Scotland, and Wales combined, as well as running through the night in order to try and beat the 30hr cut-off time.

How have you prepared?

Training for the NDW 100 has been my most demanding physical challenge. When I signed up to the race, the last running event I took part in was the Standard Chartered 5K... in 2018! So at the start of the 2023 I sought the services of a PT (Ollie) to help get me in shape to run 100 miles.

It's been an intense 7 months. Just to participate in the NDW 100 in August I needed to first complete a qualifying race of at least 50 miles within 15 hours, and in order to qualify for that 50 mile race I needed to have completed a marathon (26.2 miles) event with 6 hours. This resulted in me running in and completing Goodwood marathon on 12th February (3h54), and the North Downs Way 50 (11h07) on the 20th May.

Training has been challenging, rewarding, and dare I say fun at times - but far from smooth sailing. A painful overuse injury in my knee kept me from running for 4 weeks prior to my first marathon, limiting my preparation. Similarly I tore my calf and had an ankle ligament strain in the 5 weeks just before the NDW 50, and true to form I am currently running on a suspected broken toe due ahead of the big event due to a surfboard accident (!).

Throughout those tough times I've been fortunate to have some great friends, family, and colleagues who have helped and supported me through the year.

I'm ready to go for the big one on the 5th August.

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