The Vietnam Mountain Marathon we will be taking on is a 70km Ultra-marathon most notably known as being a qualifying race for some of the world's toughest ultra-marathons. We have been advised on signing up that we should have done an Ironman or an Ultra-Marathon before due to how arduous this race is. Instead, we have prepared our bodies on the shores of Boat Quay with a diet of beer, pizza and sandwiches with the occasional football match and road race event to hone our athleticism!

We will start running with a headlamp in the darkness of the early morning before seeing the sun rise over the 2000m mountains we are on route to conquer. Once we pass this obstacle we will drop deep into the Ban Quan Valley before running through rice fields and rose plantations (all uphill!!) before a series of river crossings mark our transition into the heart of the Vietnamese jungle. Finally, moving from jungle we see the end in sight...a 6km uphill run to close out the 70km!

As such, we decided that whilst we endure this pain we might as well run for a great cause and raise some well needed funds!

Truyen Tin Orphanage (https://www.facebook.com/truyentinvn/) is based in Ho Chi Minh and currently holds 40 children. There is a very real need for support this year with the old woman (Mrs Cu) being hospitalised recently. Mrs Cu is the only mother these children know! TTO tells us that they need funds to help with their building maintenance but they are also trying to find ways to keep the children's spirits up so we've suggested raising money to not only keep the orphanage running smoothly but also to help provide bikes, toys and educational materials. They currently do not have anything like this. So it would be incredible if we could support them in this quest!