In September 2022, I lost my lovely friend Sharon to bowel cancer. She was 49 and we had been friends for over 30 years. She was a beacon of positivity as she dealt with her cancer treatment. I miss her smile, laugh and red hair, but also her warm and loving personality. 

I ran the London Marathon in 2006 and said never again, but after losing Sharon I needed a focus and I entered the ballot and got a place. Sharon would have been 50 in April 2023 and we would have celebrated in style together.  I will be thinking of Sharon and channeling her positivity every step of the way. 

I'm running the 2023 TCS London Marathon as part of #teambowelcancer. They are the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. They're determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. Your support will help stop people dying of bowel cancer by funding vital services and lifesaving research.