We were good mates since the early 1980s where he was known for being a very decorated swimmer. Later he took up cycling of which I shared the first two seasons of this persuit with him. What is not as well known is that he also did the occasional run. The one that sticks in my mind is when he came out with me on a dark windy and rainy night and suggested to do the whole 7 miles of st aubins bay and back, which was considerbly more than I was planning that night. And I was supposed to be the runner.

The previous 2 marathons I have run have been personal challenges for me, but this event has much extra significance as it falls on Neils Birthday (07 October) and as such this one if for this great orange man,  and the charity that was set up in his memory.