*****Update on 26th May 2020 - Hello all! You'll recall that I am going to try and trail run 50 miles before my 50th birthday, which is on Friday 29th May. Originally I was going to run on Dartmoor but had to change the plan due to lockdown - instead I was going to run close to home in Wareham Forest. Now, due to the easing of lockdown rules (and the fact that Wareham Forest burned down last week) I have decided to attempt something a bit more challenging:

For my 50-mile trail run I am going to try and run a big loop from the front door to the Isle of Purbeck coast, run a long and extremely hilly section of the South West Coast Path, and then head inland to return home. 

I will be attempting this on Thursday 28th May, supported for sections of the run by a couple of runner friends who live along the route. Social distancing will be maintained. 

There will be a live tracker link which will go up on my Facebook page, just after I start - https://www.facebook.com/markrainsleyadventures

Thanks again for all the support. Wish me luck everyone, I'll give it my best, I promise!*****

***Hi all, thanks for the wonderful donations so far! There has been a bit of a change in plan from the original plan which I outlined below. The UK lockdown has forced a rethink. It would not be appropriate to travel to Dartmoor right now. BUT I will still attempt to trail run 50 miles before my 50th birthday. I am lucky enough to live in the middle of Wareham Forest in Dorset and will be able to safely and unobtrusively run a series of laps around local forest and heath, on quiet trails close to my home. I will keep you all updated...***

At the end of May I turn 50, which I am of course just delighted about. Actually... I am genuinely delighted and fortunate to have made it this far, for reasons outlined further below... 

To mark the auspicious occasion of my 50th year (and to try and pretend that I'm not really old), I'm going to attempt to run the '1240 Perambulation of Dartmoor', non-stop. The Perambulation is an ancient route around the wild heart of Dartmoor. It is unmarked and mostly pathless... basically, I'll be thrashing cross-country across bog, gorse, boulders, tors and rivers, having a miserable time... but to be honest, this is my idea of fun. The distance is around fifty miles, with about 7500 feet of ascent.

I hope to attempt this on the first May Bank Holiday weekend of the year, but this is of course dependent upon weather, moorland conditions and river levels. If necessary I will move the date a bit later. Naturally and as always, I'll be doing the minimum of training and preparation!

Why the Marfan Trust? A few years back I was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Marfan syndrome; this lead to me undergoing thoracic heart surgery, and also eye surgery which saved the vision in one of my eyes. I am incredibly lucky; I got through half of my life without even noticing I had the syndrome, I was diagnosed in time to save my life and thanks to some fantastic treatment from the NHS, I am fit and well and enjoying life as before. Many others are much less fortunate and sadly there are some really sick Marfan patients out there, especially youngsters who are suffering the effects early in life. 

Please consider sponsoring me, to support the work of The Marfan Trust (http://www.marfantrust.org). This UK charity has three objectives;

1. To fund medical research projects that aim to aid the diagnosis and treatment of Marfan syndrome patients.

2. To provide educational literature on Marfan syndrome and
all its aspects to the medical profession and the general public, thus raising awareness of the condition.

3. To provide peer-to-peer support and medical guidance to those affected and their families.

Any contributions you can make would be much appreciated. 

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