Next stop midlife! OK, so I've been here before. I have ran my "last" marathon and said "never again" one or two times before. And yet, here I am. 12 marathons in a year was enough for a lifetime (and I mean enough) but 26 marathons in a lifetime seems so much better and something that even the most challenging of us will happily consider enough is enough. Please join me, and sponsor me, as I start the last 10 of the events so that I can tick off this challenge and rightfully request "He ran 26 marathons" on my headstone. How long will it take me? Well, assuming 2 runs a year this will be a 5 year event so plenty of time to sponsor me. Please feel free to revisit after each event (I may email you as a reminder from time to time).

London April 2009

Well I finished.  Timewise, far from my best.  But the heat was incredible.  Great day though and, as someone in a position to know, London is by far the best marathon in the world.  No competition at all.

Berlin September 2009

Well the weekend didn't start as planned.  BA bumped my flight on the Friday night, meaning I had to fly Saturday AM.  Arrived fresh on Saturday (they did put me up in a hotel) and went straight to Berlin Tempelhof airport to register.  This airport was closed recently and there was a huge outcry in Berlin.  Having seen the airport this weekend, I can understand why.  It is an incredible building.  Totally impractical as an international airport (this is why it was closed) but I do hope that they keep the terminal building.

The run was great, albeit very hot (again).  I describe London as the world's best but Berlin is the second best.  Great organisation (this is Germany, what do you expect), a huge 40,000 runner mass start and a route that packs in so much of the city.

I finished slow (around the 5 hour, 20 minute mark) but content (it is all about taking part and finishing after all).  A lovely surprise at the finis as I asked a fellow runner if I could borrow his seat (a large rock) to sit on and find myself talking to a primary school friend.  Small world.

Next stop, not sure.  Definately signed up for Brighton and hopefully London.

This time around I am running these events for The "Who Cares? Trust".

The Who Cares? Trust aims to improve the lives of children living in public care. Activities include the publishing of two magazines for children in care and running a range of projects that promote improvement in outcomes for children in care in terms of their of their education, health, employability and preparation for leaving care and independent living. Most projects are piloted in local authorities prior to national dissemination of findings and practice materials.

We influence service delivery for children in care, both through projects and publications and on-going dialogue with government and other relevant agencies.

An integral part of our work is consultation with and participation of children and young people in care to ensure that our work reflects their views, experiences and ideas.

For further information go to:  www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk

As with previous runs I will be funding my own events and travel. Every penny raised will go the charity. Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Who Cares? Trust gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!