Yes, it's that time of year when RH proposes doing something stupid!

But, as it's my 50th birthday on 29th May 2024, it had to be something especially stupid! So, I am flying to Durban, South Africa for the weekend to run an 'up' Comrades Ultra Marathon at 5:30am (4:30am BST) on Sunday 9th June 2024. There will be 23,000 starters so I'll be in good company! (Link to Entry List which will show my finish time: https://www.comrades.com/race-info/2024-entry-list)

As if that wasn't enough, in order to qualify for the Comrades, I have to run a marathon in the UK so, at 8:30am on Saturday 24th February 2024, Tim Saunders and I are running the Northumberland Marathon from Alnwick Castle to Bamburgh Castle on the Northeast Coast (Link to results here: https://www.endurancelife.com/northumberland)

Why am I raising money for 'Go Beyond'? 'Go Beyond' are a great registered charity that provides getaway breaks for children enduring serious challenges e.g. suffering bereavement, abuse, bullying, poverty or acting as a carer for a loved one. Over the last thirty-two years, 'Go Beyond' have transported over 19,000 children away from their worries into a positive world of fun, laughter and inspiration. Despite having patrons such as Jennifer Saunders, Alan Titchmarsh and David Gower, this small charity still has to work very hard to raise the £1.5m+ needed each year to continue its magical work. I have seen so much of their wonderful work and so just ask that you please give as much as you can, even if it's a £1, safe in the knowledge that it will all go to them and make a very real difference.

Why the Comrades? This is the oldest ultramarathon in the world (first run on 24th May 1921 to commemorate those fallen in The First World War). One of its primary aims is to "celebrate mankind's spirit in triumphing over adversity". Maybe 25 years ago, my Best Man, Leigh Terry, and I spoke about this race (his idea!) when we were fit and nimble. Over the years, it kept coming up in conversation but now his knee is knackered and, if I leave it much longer, I will be too so it is now or never! I have never run an Ultra Marathon before, so to say I'm scared is an understatement but, "fear is the start of courage". I'm training like never before and I've even given up alcohol!

Why am I going just for the weekend? I'm funding the trip myself (all of your sponsorship goes to 'Go Beyond') so the short stay is to keep the cost down. Furthermore, I'm prosecuting a big trial in June and so I'm leaving Manchester late afternoon on Friday 7th June and have to be back in Manchester for Monday 10th June morning! The Law never sleeps!