Hi, I’m Darren and welcome to my Just Giving Page. Thank you for your visit. Donations are not compulsory, I know times are hard. I’m just glad that you’ve come to read my story. Of course, any donations are welcome and I thank you for any that you make – all money raised will be given directly to Cancer Research Wales at Velindre in Cardiff.

If you’d like to know more about me and why I have this page, please read down to the bottom – bear with me, it’s an interesting story but I “rabbit” a bit!

Well, at the end of May I’m going to be running the Howie 24, which is a 24-hour race in Pembrey Country Park. The idea of the run is that everyone runs for as long as they can in 24 hours – and I intend running 100km… or more if I can keep going!  

Now I know that a 100km run is not an easy task, but I do I believe it’s within my grasp as last year I ran 70km in less than 12 hours (yes, it was only just under the 12th hour, but I did it – partly due, I’m sure, to the great encouragement I had along the way). 

As part of my training for this up-coming epic run I’m already booked on to a number of races before May, some of which Gail, my wife, will be joining me to support me in my quest. 

This all started on Sunday 3^rdFebruary, my 54^thBirthday in fact, when I tackled the cliff top climbs of the Worm’s Head 10k on The Gower. It wasn’t easy, I can tell you that especially with added snow and ice, but then I don’t like to make things too easy when it comes to my running – as those who know me will know.

I’ve decided to do this 100km, alongside the many other runs in 2019, in support of Cancer Research Wales who are based in Velindre in Cardiff. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer. Only last Christmas my family lost one of our members, my beloved cousin Julie, I also lost my darling Aunt Maureen two years ago, while my father-in-law, Graham, is thankfully in remission after undergoing treatment for prostate cancer at Velindre.

I myself have regular check ups in my bowels since showing cancerous symptoms six years ago. Luckily the initial results were negative but constant monitoring and removal operations are required (one of the reasons I need a toilet) as the problems encounted now are signs of possible problems in the future. 

This Just Giving page will also be kept open for the whole of 2019 as I’m going to be running The Howum Ultra Marathon, Race To The Castle Ultra Marathon, the Cardiff 10k & Half-Marathon, plus two Marathons in October, one of which is the Dublin 40^thAnniversary Marathon,  plus others – all in aid of raising money for Cancer Research Wales at Velindre.

These are the organised events I’m scheduled to take part in so far, which don’t include all the 5k parkruns I do every Saturday with Charlie the dog – and I’m quite likely to be adding to this list...

3rd Feb Worm’s Head 10k (completed)
17th Feb Zodiac Run 10k (in Margam Park, with Gail) (completed)
24th Feb Winchester 10k (with Gail) (completed)

2nd March Ras Dewi Sant Trail Half-Marathon (completed)

3rd March Newport Half Marathon (completed)

10th March Go Tri (Pontypridd swim & run) (completed)
17th March San Dom 20 Mile Run (completed)
24th March Merthyr Half Marathon (completed)
30th March Brain Tumour Ultra Marathon (40 miler in Llanelli)(completed)
31st March Cardiff Bay 10k (with Gail)(completed)

6th April Darren's Day Of Endurance Event in Pontypridd Park (completed)

7^thApril Reverse 10 Mile Run (completed)

14th April Pendine Sands 10k (with Gail)(completed)

20th April Gregynog Marathon (completed)

30th April Pentyrch Hill Race 7 miles (completed)
5th May Newport 10k (with Gail)(completed)

10th May Lady Windsor 5 Mile Run (completed)
11th May Radyr & Morganstown Trail Half Marathon (completed)

12th May Porthkerry 5 Mile MT Run (completed)

14th May Rose Inn 4 Mile Race Series 1(completed)
15th May Whiteford Point Multi Terrain 10k Race (completed)

17th May Steve Jones 1 Mile Race (completed)
19th May Caerphilly 10k (with Gail) (completed)

26th May The Angles Way Ultra Marathon 100km (completed)

1st June Brecon Beacons Celtic Way Trail Race - 22 Miles (completed)

2nd June Rack Raid - Stage 6 - 12.6 Miles (completed)

6th June CottrellPark Relays (completed)

8th June Forestry Series 10k - Wyre Forest (with Gail)(completed)

9th June Cardiff Pizza Run 10k (with Gail)(completed)

11th June Rose Inn 4 Mile Race Series 2 (completed)

15th June Coity Fell Race (completed)

16th June Cheltenham Challenge Long Half-Marathon (completed)

19th June SSAFA 5k Race, Cardiff (completed)

23rd June Swansea Half-Marathon (completed)

26th June The Blade Runner(completed)

29th June Sospan 10k (with Gail) (completed)

30th June Shifnal Half-Marathon (completed)

3rd July Run4All Summer Series 5k (with Gail) (completed)
6th July Howum 30-mile Ultra Marathon (completed)
7th July Porthcawl 10k (with Gail) (completed)

9th July Rose Inn 4 Mile Race Series 3 (completed)

10th July Cosmeston Relays (completed)

13th July Black Mountains Trail Half-Marathon (completed)

14th July The Loop Hill Race 10k (completed)

17th July Bungay Black Dog 10k (completed)

21st July Off The Tarmac Challenge 13-mile Run (over Pen Y Fan twice) (completed)

27th July Afan Forest Trail 10k (completed)

17th August Race To The Castle Marathon (completed)

1st September Cardiff 10k (with Gail) (completed)

7th September Roman Run (Brecon to Merthyr) (completed)

8th September Wentwood Forest Trail 10k (completed)
22nd September Swansea 10k (with Gail) (completed)
28th September Snowdon Trail Long Half Marathon (completed)

29th September Cowbridge 10k (with Gail) (completed)

6th October Cardiff Half Marathon (with Gail) (completed)

12th October Gower Trail 23 Mile Race (completed)
20th October Ron Skilton Trail Half-Marathon (completed)
27th October Dublin Marathon (completed)

6th November Severn Bridge 5 Night Race 1 (completed)
9th November Gower Trail Half Marathon (completed)

10th November Cardiff Trail Half-Marathon (completed)

17th November Conwy Half-Marathon (completed)

22nd November Severn Bridge 5 Night Race 2 (completed)

24th November Sara Brooke-Smith Memorial Mob Match (completed)

30th November Ashton Gate 10k Trail Night Race (with Gail) (completed)

7th December Gwent League x Country Race - Blaise Castle (completed)

8th Merthyr Mawr 10k Christmas Pudding Race (completed)

21st December Celtic Trail Winter Ultra Marathon 32 Mile (completed - Gail completed Half-Marathon Race)

31st December New Years Eve 10 Mile Race (completed)

As you see the runs range from the difficult to the downright stupid, but I intend completing them all. Remember that every step I take, every penny I make, matters to a Cancer sufferer somewhere.

I shall be posting here regularly about the runs and progress I’m making so please keep popping by to watch my selfie collection grow as I take numerous photos of myself with a bright red sweaty face!

Stay in touch
Love
Darren