I’m Chris, I’m originally from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire but now live in Sandbach, Cheshire with my wife, three teenage boys, two dogs, and four cats. I guess I don’t need to explain why I run!

I started to run after our eldest son was born and remember the elation when I first ran a mile without stopping. I ran my first marathon in 2009 and did a few more after that including the Windermere marathon’s in 2013 and 2014. But since then, until 2021, have not run another marathon. This will be my first Brathay 10 in 10. I’m looking forward to what I expect will be the most challenging thing I have ever done, but potentially also the most rewarding.

I first became aware of the Brathay 10 in 10 while waiting to start the 2013 Windermere marathon. I was in complete awe of the athletes who walked out, many looked ‘broken’, and then set off to do their 10^th marathon in 10 consecutive days. For me to then run the marathon and have the chance to see folk doing what seemed unimaginable sowed a seed in my mind. It is a seed that has remained dormant for several years but finally sprouted this year. I don’t know if I can run 10 marathons in 10 days, I have always been completely knackered after doing just one. But, not knowing, and the size of the challenge ahead is such a motivation. When submitting my application this year, I just thought; ‘you’ll never know if you never try.’

One of the highlights of my running ‘career’ is completing the London Marathon in 2012. I got into London through a charity place and ran for Barnado’s. I’ve always been aware that me and my kids have advantage’s in life that others don’t, and when I think about the challenges that many children and young people face, through no fault of their own, it makes me want to do something. This was my motivation to run the London marathon for Barnado’s and is my motivation to run the 10 in 10 in support of the Brathay Trust, to raise funds and awareness to support disadvantaged children & young people. A good start in life is not something not afforded to everyone, so the more we can do to help, the better. 

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. You can follow my training journey via my blog here: https://chrislittlewood10in10.blogspot.com/

Cheers, Chris.