*** Update ***

I finished in 19hr 53mins, 783 out of 1600 starters. Thankfully the weather was good; the race started in sunshine, there was no rain during the race and the night was clear but very cold. I reached the half-way point at Champex just after sunset, rested there for an hour and then set off into the night for the last 44km. It was a hard slog hiking up and down two 2000m mountains in the middle of the night. By sunrise, Mont Blanc came into view and I knew I was near Chamonix and the finish. Ladan and the kids were waiting at the finish line to welcome me home.

A great experience, superb organisation, with lots of support and encouragement along the route. Thinking of doing the 100 mile race next year! 

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I took up running again after 25 years when the London bombings in 2005 forced me to find an alternative route to work for a few days. Now 2 years and 4,000 miles later and after completing 2 trail marathons this summer, I'm ready for the bigger challenge of the Ultra-Trail TMB CCC: 54 miles (86km), 15000 ft (4500m) total ascent in a maximum of 24 hours.

The race follows the Tour Du Mont-Blanc hiking trail, starting in Courmayeur in Italy, passing through Champex in Switzerland and finishing in Chamonix, France. I'm expecting sun, wind, rain, snow, mud, mountain streams to cross, and half the race will be run at night, so it should be interesting!  This is the 'mini' race, the full one is 100 miles in 46 hours - so may be next year! See www.ultratrailmb.com for details of the race. I just hope to finish in one piece.

I have chosen to raise funds for ActionAid, an international anti-poverty agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide. I have been involved in the charity for about 15 years through their child sponsorship programme.

Please dig deep and sponsor me online. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ActionAid will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Many thanks for your support.

Nick