**Rugby. Aerial hoop. Pole. Dancing in heels. Muay Thai. HYROX Paris.**

Apparently none of that was enough, because I've now added **the London Marathon** to my bingo list.

Yep. On Sunday **25 April 2027**, I'm running the TCS London Marathon for **CoppaFeel!** 🩷

Underneath all the jokes about my increasingly questionable sporting decisions, though, there is a very real reason I've chosen to do this.

My mum has already faced breast cancer and is now facing bowel cancer.

I've seen the appointments, treatment, waiting and uncertainty that come with a cancer diagnosis, and what that does not only to the person going through it, but to everyone who loves them.

I've also watched people I love face cancer far younger than anyone should have to.

So this one is personal.

CoppaFeel! is all about getting to know your body, checking yourself and speaking to someone if something doesn't feel right. And if me doing something slightly ridiculous helps raise money **and** gets a few more people checking themselves, then I'll take that.

Now, there is one fairly obvious problem with this plan...

I spent 15 years playing rugby as a prop. I was basically trained like a baby rhino to move as little as possible while stopping everyone else from going anywhere.

So naturally I've decided to run **26.2 miles**.

*"Don't chase me, I'm full of chocolate,"* said the former Harlequins tighthead prop...

At least it's given me the perfect excuse to buy **another pair of pink trainers.** 🩷👟

I've got lots of fundraising ideas planned between now and April, including **26 Miles. 26 Sponsors. £26 Each.**

I'll be looking for 26 people to claim one of my marathon miles for £26 and come around London with me.

And Tower Bridge is getting its own moment because I fully intend to become **Two-Step Tony** and have a little dance across it. 💃

More on all of that soon.

For now, if you'd like to sponsor me, I would genuinely appreciate it. Big donation, small donation — it all adds up and it all goes towards helping CoppaFeel! do what they do.

And if you can't donate, that's okay too. Share the page. Tell someone what I'm doing. Or just use this as your reminder to **check yourself**.

Right. Apparently I need to learn how to run a marathon.

**Bring on the pink trainers. 🩷👟**

@ laurabondstephenson