Story
This is Millie and her best friend Dexter. In January last year he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. He and his family endured months of intensive gruelling treatment which he coped with amazing well; we were all blown away by how incredible he was. Thankfully he is now in remission but still has two years of chemotherapy ahead to keep the cancer at bay.
A few months after Dexter was diagnosed a friend from college’s little boy, Teddy, not even two years old, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a very aggressive form of cancer. He has just finished months of incredibly tough treatment and still has a long road ahead to ensure the cancer doesn’t return.
I decided in March this year that I wanted to raise some money to help with research and prevention of these devastating illnesses. I had recently started trail running and so looked for the most challenging event of this type I could find and came across the Midnight Mountain (half) Marathon. I ran a road half marathon ten years ago but this is very different!
Set in the breathtaking Brecon Beacons, the course takes you through forests, over streams, past waterfalls and up mountains.The Midnight Mountain Marathon uses part of the 'Fan Dance' which is a the infamous run taken on by potential members of British Special Forces as part of their selection process. This includes an ascent of Pen y Fan (2,907ft / 886m) which is the highest peak in South Wales.
I have been training for four months, including lots of off road hilly runs at haldon, the south west coastal path and back lanes around Exminster, strength training and speed workouts. I have also done two warm up races which really showed me how much tougher trail races are! At this stage I am just hoping to get round the course and not get lost, but I would be so grateful for any donations, knowing the run might be making a difference to families like Dexter’s and Teddy’s will help me get up that mountain!
Thank you,
Rosie xxxxxxx