In November 2020 I will be taking on my toughest running challenge yet. With the name of 'The Beast', it doesn't sound particularly friendly does it!

What is The Beast?

The Beast lasts for the month of November and requires me to run the same amount of miles as per the day of the month that I am on: 1 mile on the 1st, 2 miles on the 2nd and so on. This all sounds quite nice until I reach the second week at which point fatigue will start to kick in. The final 10 days is brutal with 20+ miles every day. The last week requires me to run a total of 189 miles and a total of 465 in the month. .

The only rule is that the distance must be completed in the 24 hour period of that day.

Why?

Back in August 2020, just a few weeks ago, a friend of mine lost his son to a rare form of cancer. Ben was only 18 and a promising footballer with the Bath City Academy. He had his whole life ahead of him. Shortly before he passed away Ben made the decision to do something to help other children and young adults who were/are experiencing a similar illness as him. He set up the www.bensaundersfoundation.org to help facilitate this and to-date his friends, family and people from the sporting world have all helped raise over £50,000.

Here are some words from Ben, written shortly before he passed away: The Ben Saunders Foundation (BSF) has been started to raise funds to support Children and Young adults with cancer within the UK.

The above is why I am doing this, so please help me to support other teenagers like Ben by raising the awareness of his Foundation to continue his legacy now that he has gone. If you can spare a few pounds along the way it will be put to the best use possible - helping children and young adults with cancer.

Thank you in advance

Matthew