At 0900 on Saturday 4th May, I will be starting the Centurion Running Thames Path 100 mile race.

We start at Richmond Bridge and (mostly) follow the Thames Path all the way to Oxford.

There is a time limit of 29 hours to be an official finisher so I have to complete the course (which apparently is actually nearer 104 miles) by 1400 on Sunday 5th May.

I did this event three years ago and 'only' managed 71 miles before my slowing pace meant i wasn't going to make the cutoffs along the way. Running this year with my friend Mark Thomson will hopefully get me through what I expect will be the most difficult patch during the night.

Once again, I am proud to be raising money for The Running Charity.

The Running Charity is a specialist intervention service for young people aged 16-25 experiencing profound and connected inequalities due to homelessness and complex or multiple needs. Their primary purpose is to help young people build the skills needed towards robust health and housing outcomes.

They are a small charity, but we ambitious about the impact that can be made. The vision is to reduce the number of young people who fall back into homelessness or deprivation and help minimise the negative consequences on long-term mental and physical health that being homeless is associated with.

I have done events with them and seen firsthand that the process of using running to help these young people is truly life changing - and hope that you will be able to support them through me.

It is possible that I may not finish the event - but I will be giving it a REALLY good try!

You will be able to track me on the day via the weblink at the top or via my Instagram page @mike7oaks

One final thing. The fundraising target of £1,450 is equivalent to £50 per hour for the full 29 hours.