I started running in 2009 whilst writing up my PhD thesis, what started out as a break from the laptop soon turned into a routine with miles clocking up. It was a couple of years later I completed my first half marathon, the great north run. It was 10 years ago I ran the Chelmsford marathon and London was always on my bucket list!

I decided to raise money for bowel cancer uk when I successfully gained a ballot place this year after over 10 years of entering. Two members of my family have been affected by bowel cancer so it seemed the obvious choice.

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity.

We fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

We’re here to stop people dying of bowel cancer.