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So that's the small talk out of the way! If you're still reading, thank you!

I'm not going to bore you with my life story or running history here. I plan to set up a blog elsewhere for that! Suffice to say I have run quite a lot of races from 5k road races, to trail races, to marathons, and never chased sponsorship once.

This run is now different.

This run is for Alisha.

Alisha was 18 years old and truly one of those people who made people happy. That's what it seemed like to me anyway. She made me laugh. She cracked my wife up. She entertained and looked after our two young girls like they were family she saw every day. They laughed too; even my youngest who is quite a tough crowd!

No doubt I will write more about Alisha as the race approaches, but at this point all that needs to be said is that for her to be lost to Meningitis at such a young age is a twist of fate so cruel that I don't think anyone who knew her will ever come to terms with it. 

I'm sure it is often said that these kinds of things always happen to the good 'uns. Well if one thing is certain it is this - Alisha was a bloody good 'un. 

So get your wallets and purses open and get giving! I've set a fund raising target as stupid as the race I've targeted. I'll tell you more about that another day too. If you care. You probably don't. 

When I originally entered the race I deliberately chose a race that would be hard to finish at all, never mind do well in. But now I have a purpose to add to my stubborn, determined streak.

This one's for Alisha. Not finishing is no longer an option.

Thanks for reading.