Pitch:

Road running.

I thoroughly dislike it.

Could be the most mundane sport on planet earth.

I’ve always known I was born in the wrong age. I missed that magical Palaeolithic Era by several millennia - those glory days - when one spent hours running naked over crags and prairies in pursuit of prime BBQ material, or away from sabre-tooths. 

So, comparably tame half-marathons on tarmac seem to be the best that Spring 2019 can offer me in the adrenaline department...

I have never run one.

I have never wanted to run one. 

I don't even like wearing shoes. 

But I do live in the beautiful Lake District, and it feels rude not to run a half marathon here. 

It also feels rude not to support the Bart Ehrman Foundation. Especially since Dr. Bart Ehrman has agreed to publicly debate my Oxford-educated Anglican buddy, the intrepid Rt Rev'd Matthew Firth who (I was intrigued to learn) holds to a traditional belief in Biblical inerrancy. 

I may (should) do some training this month, either way, rest assured this will be a gruelling race. Keswick Half Marathon takes in the notorious Newlands Pass before descending to Derwent Water’s shore-line loop.

If anyone can offer advice (specifically on how to achieve 'Runner's High' as quickly as possible); iTunes playlists; or discount on a pair of running shoes, that would be wonderful. 

It’s probably time to bin my brother’s second hand and ill-fitting Nikes for this event…

The Charities I am Supporting:

1) Doctors Without Borders, International. This is one of the truly great humanitarian charities in the world, without a question, a bright light shining in our universe. www.doctorswithoutborders.org 

2) CARE, International. Care is an international relief agency that works in nearly 90 countries. www.care.org

3)  The Urban Ministries of Durham, NC, USA. Urban Ministries actually work to get people off homelessness and into permanent jobs and permanent housing. Last year they ended homelessness
for 287 people. www.umdurham.org

4) Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, NC, USA. This too is a terrific agency that deals with food distribution to the needy throughout Dr. Ehrman’s locale.

You can find out more about The Bart Ehrman Foundation here: www.ehrmanblog.org/philanthropy

A short note to the NERDS…

… and the Christians; the Theological Deconstructors; the Christian Agnostics; the Agnostics; the Atheists; the Philosophers of Religion; the Historians of Antiquity; and Textual Critics:

If you'd also like to follow the debate (and even participate), you can become a member of the 100% not-for-profit Bart Ehrman Blog here: www.ehrmanblog.org 

Blog membership costs a measly $25.

About Dr. Bart Ehrman:

To find out more about Dr. Ehrman’s work: his trade and academic publications, and philanthropy head to www.bartdehrman.com or www.ehrmanblog.org/philanthropy

Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Professor Ehrman completed his M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees at Princeton Seminary, where his 1985 doctoral dissertation was awarded magna cum laude. An expert on the New Testament and the history of Early Christianity, has written or edited thirty books, numerous scholarly articles, and dozens of book reviews. In addition to works of scholarship, Professor Ehrman has written several textbooks for undergraduate students and trade books for general audiences. Five of his books have been on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Technical:

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

The Bart Ehrman Foundation in Durham, NC is a tax-exempt organization. Donations to Bart Ehrman Foundation are tax deductible. EIN 45-4810987. More information about organization here: www.orgcouncil.com/nc/durham/bart-ehrman-foundation-987.php