Ben and I are running the original marathon (in Athens) to raise money for the Young African Leadership Programme, a charity dedicated to supporting the amazing work of Enko Benga International School, a primary school located in the heart of Mozambique. To add a twist, we have decided to both get shin splints and thus neglect our well-intentioned training regimes.

I have been working with a great team to conceive, raise money for and build an amazing nursery and primary school which provides international standard education at locally suitable pricing. However, many local parents still cannot afford the fees and materials associated with the school, which is why the Young African Leadership Programme was established. Working with our amazing partners at Wellington College we are founding a charity that will support the students of Enko Benga International School, providing access, materials and world-class facilities to support children in a country which has the 3rd worst education standards in the world.

Having visited Tete myself, I was shocked at the inadequate (and costly) education provision in this vibrant, fast growing city. The school and the charity will be instrumental in providing infrastructure and opportunity to the next generation of African leaders.

Ben and I have done very little training for a race of this length however we are both incredibly competitive and will surely cross the line (running, walking or crawling). We have both worked on the school and are passionate about seeing our efforts, however insignificant have a worthy end. So please do dig deep and be sure to think about us as we encounter inevitable cramps 1km on the road from Marathon to Athens!