Next month (18th/19th April) I will be running the 112 mile/180km Devon coast to coast ultra marathon over Dartmoor & Exmoor in aid of Cure Parkinson’s.

Five years ago, my wonderful mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It was diagnosed late, so we weren’t prepared for the unorthodox & unkind nature of the disease. Many people have heard of Parkinson’s, but very few know anything about the disease. People, like my mother, who were once active, healthy and full of energy, in just a few years can find themselves relying on full time carers & wheelchairs. The symptoms are painful, nonstop, and very difficult to medicate. Parkinson’s is a neurological condition that affects millions worldwide and has become one of the world’s fastest growing diseases.

Cure Parkinson’s was Founded in 2005 by four Parkinson’s sufferers frustrated at the lack of progress toward a cure. Since then, the charity has invested millions into pioneering research, accelerated scientific discoveries, and opened up new avenues for treatments that aim to slow, stop, or even reverse Parkinson’s.

https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/

Experienced ultra marathon runners describe the coast to coast as 'seriously tough'. Transcending Dartmoor & Exmoor, the continuous race includes 16,000ft of elevation. With little signage, map reading & GPS are vital as well as food consumption (i will burn through 17,000 calories and clock over 200,000 steps).

I have been training for the past eleven months. Leaving the house three to four times per week between 4.00am-5.00am to run 15-20 miles before breakfast, I have just enough time to see my boys, kiss my wife goodbye and head to work.

I have discovered that running is only a small part of training for a 100 mile plus run. Strength & cross training, nutritional & hydration strategy, mental fortitude, rest & recovery and having the correct kit all play crucial roles in getting your body & mind ready to run four & half marathons straight.

Time & terrain have been my largest battles so far. I live in London with my very patient wife, three boys (3, 4 & 7) and our lurcher, Dora. I run a busy building company in London & Wiltshire with one of my brothers, Henry.

Time management has been critical with very few breaks. I have trained in Cyprus, Italy & France while on holiday, as well as some wintery training marathons on Dartmoor.

The constant worry is have you done enough training. It is a minefield and very easy to ‘over train,’ but hopefully I have enough miles under my belt (1300 miles & rising) and kept myself almost injury free, to complete & compete in next month’s ultra.

My plan is to finish the course in 30hrs (event time limit 38hrs),

Every donation helps fund vital research that could transform lives — including the lives of people like our mother. Every single pound takes us one step closer to a cure, and this disease can be beaten, but more pounds are desperately needed.

Thank you so much for your support.

Best Wishes,

Alex.

https://www.climbsouthwest.com/events/devon-coast-coast/

https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/