Growing up in Cambridge in the 80's my best friends were all within walking distance of each other in a little village called Cherry Hinton. We rode our bikes, we listened to music, we kicked footballs against the wall of my house and upset my mother.... but it's during those times that you sometimes form the strongest bonds. One of those friends lived no more than 200yrds from me, was only 2 weeks older than me and throughout a vast majority of our childhood we pretty much lived in each others pockets. This kid was called Ed Hallam. We played sport together, we went to music concerts together, got drunk together, set fire to things together (shh) even flirted with the same girl (That was an interesting few weeks) but he was my best friend. In 2000 he was promoted to Best Man when I got married but still managed to play the best friend role 10 years later when I got divorced. Without Ed I'd not be the person I am today. From my music tastes to my outlook on life, Ed had an influence in more than he probably ever knew. 

Come our late teens and early 20's our lives went in different directions with Ed going to University and latterly forging a very successful career within sport, whereas I chose the more sedentary office lifestyle. Our views on exercise were always very different and avenues for constant humorous digs at each other.

In June of 2016, at the age of just 40, we lost him. He fought well, he fought hard and he fought with all the dignity you'd expect from such an amazing man, but ultimately it was one contest that got the better of him.

I'm raising money for Cancer Research running the Cambridge half marathon to try and make sure that another wife, daughter, sister, brother or parent doesn't go through what the Hallam's have gone through this year. 

Why the half marathon you ask?

1 - I wanted to do some form of endurance feat to honour the work Ed did with such passion

2 - Cambridge is my, our, home town

3 - The race itself is the day before what would have been Ed's 41st Birthday

4 - I've never run anything in my life other than a bath.

Please give what you can, even the smallest amount will make a difference.

Thanks for reading.