Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'm privileged to be heading to Greece again in September 2016 with the support of my wife Gill and in laws Kelvin and Collette Sadler to race the iconic ultramarathon Spartathlon. I'll be joining fellow runners as part of the unofficial British Spartathlon team http://www.britishspartathlonteam.org

My hope is that I can I also raise valuable funds for NANSA a local charity that does such wonderful work to support those with disabilities.

This is widely regarded as one of, if not, the toughest single stage ultramarathon in the world. I'll be following in the steps of Pheidippides an Athenian ultra distance messenger who in 490BC was sent on foot to summon help from powerful Sparta to repel the invading Persians.

Without question this is a tough challenge for any ultrarunner due to the heat, the strict cut-offs, the terraine, the mountain at one hundred miles in, and its overall distance of 246km (153 miles). Although I managed to complete this last year, it was the hardest challenge of my running career to date and it commands my utmost respect.

This year I managed to qualify again but I have set myself an aggressive target to complete in under thirty hours, but finishing is of course my primary goal. Nothing can be taken for granted in this challenge. Indeed, previous successes can count for nothing, as many have discovered to their dismay.

I have chosen to support NANSA because they provide such fantastic support to so many with disabilities, helping those in need to enjoy a more fulfilling and rewarding life. Please help support them in any way you feel you're able.

There is life after disability! Let's make a difference together!

If you'd like to learn  more about NANSA, you'll find their site here http://www.nansa.org.uk/about-us.aspx

If you'd like to learn more about what the Spartathlon entails, its history and the challenges it presents, please follow the link http://www.spartathlon.gr

I'll also be posting updates to this page and blogging via http://www.ultraian.wordpress.com

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you so much!

Ian Thomas