3 years late, I am running the TCS London Marathon in aid of Challengers on Sunday 23rd April 2023! Here's why...

Back in 2020 I signed up to run the London Marathon for Challengers, little guessing how wildly that plan would be challenged... All dreams of running through crowds in London in April were cancelled, so I ran the first ever Virtual London Marathon 2020 through my neighbourhood alone, in torrential October rain, to honour my donations. Thank you everyone who supported me then!

Afterwards, my original marathon place was rolled-over in the Challengers ballot by 3 years to 2023. It seemed impossibly far in the future and was quickly forgotten about. Having done 2 marathons in a week in 2021, I needed 2 spine procedures in 2022 to recover... So when the place was offered to me again, it seemed laughable to tackle the London Marathon for the 3rd time. I was barely jogging a 5k let alone 42k.

But good things come in 3s right? After all, in those 3 years,  I've not just had covid 3 times, I also found 3 new loves (my partner, foster-daughter and rescue dog) and my 3 ever lovely daughters continue to amaze me with their antics and achievements. So I'm taking the 3 year delay in running the London Marathon for Challengers as a good sign!

Despite this reckless optimism, this marathon is probably going to be the slowest comeback ever witnessed by so few (more likely to be a PW than a PB). But if a guy dressed as a fire engine can do it, so can I...

Back in 2020 when all mass events ceased, I promised myself that if I ever got the chance to participate in another big event - whether working, singing or running - I would say yes to every opportunity provided. Simply because, unlike many people with fewer freedoms than me, I can. And the last 3 years has taught us all not to take those freedoms for granted.

That's why I'm proud to run in aid of Challengers once again. Challengers provides play and leisure for disabled children and young people, while providing vital respite for their families. There are many barriers that stop disabled children from accessing play, but Challengers breaks down these barriers, making it possible for every disabled child to have fun and be included. That's what we all want in life isn't it? 

So please donate if you can - and thank you if you already did in 2020. You're wonderful.