Devastatingly, my extraordinary friend Susannah passed away in August while on a cycle tour in Italy. Susannah was an absolute force to be reckoned with, being not only an incredible friend, but also a science genius and sporting hero. Susannah had competed in multiple marathons and triathlons, and I was stunned watching her complete the London Marathon earlier this year in a mind blowing 3 hours 17 minutes. Susannah was also in training for an Ironman in October, which she was so excited for and undoubtedly would have excelled at.

I will be running my first ever marathon, the Amsterdam Marathon, on 15th October. Susannah was so supportive of my first marathon attempt, regularly sending me advice and wonderful words of encouragement and supporting me on my training runs. Very fittingly, the last time I saw Susannah was on a training run we did together on Wimbledon Common, she for her Ironman and me for my upcoming marathon. It therefore only seems right to run the Amsterdam Marathon in loving memory of Susannah, and she will be with me every step of the way. 

I am also fundraising for a charity very close to my heart, and one Susannah was also hugely supportive of: Oxford & District Mencap. This small charity provides invaluable support to local people with learning disabilities and their families and carers, including running incredible summer holiday camps which I am enormously fond of.

I would be incredibly grateful if you were able to support my marathon fundraising effort, by donating here. For such a small and unique charity, every little really does help, and it would mean the world to me to support a charity so special while running in memory of such a special friend as Susannah.

Thank you all for your continued support and love 🩵