Elise: 'The reason I have chosen to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon and raise money for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is, being a pet owner myself and an animal lover, I believe all cats & dogs deserve a chance in life, and if they happen to find their way to Battersea  - they will get this.  Battersea aim to rehome every animal that enters their home, and having watched the TV programmes and read books on the work that they do, I know that each and every animal is treated with the utmost care, love and respect it deserves.  I know every penny is crucial to Battersea and without funding from events like this, they wouldn’t be able to provide the valuable service that they do.  So, for this reason I am willing to put myself, along with my running buddy Katie, through months of gruelling training, injuries and black toes, to run the Half Marathon and raise as much money as I can for them'

Katie: 'There are many worthy charities to support but when I think of what my beloved pets have given me over the years it wasn't a difficult decision for me to make, in supporting Battersea Dog & Cat Home.  Battersea does magnificent work in caring for and rehoming dogs and cats, often investing considerable time and expertise in ensuring that the right home is found - us (Elise and I) running to raise money for this very special charity is a challenge worth undertaking, battling through rain and blistering heat, not forgetting the trips, falls and losing toenails along the way!'.