Running (very far) for a very good cause!

I clearly make some questionable life choices…because this year I’m attempting my first ever ultra marathon — "The Lap" around Lake Windermere.

That’s 47 miles (75km) of trails around England’s largest lake. Or, if you prefer, nearly two marathons back-to-back…with hills.

Lots of hills.

Around 2,600 metres of climbing to be precise. That's the equivalent of 15,000 stairs.

Oh, and you get 24 hours to complete it — which sounds generous until you realise that’s because it’s absolutely, bloody massive.

What exactly is “The Lap”?

- A full circumnavigation of Lake Windermere (yes, literally a lap)

- 47 miles / 75km of mostly off-road trails

- Over 2,000 route markers so even I can’t get lost (hopefully)

- Multiple feed stations (thankfully)

- Open to runners and walkers — so I fully reserve the right to do both

- A “gateway ultra”… which is a polite way of saying “this will still hurt”

The small detail…

I haven’t run anything close to this distance in… ever.

To prepare, I’m doing a “warm-up” 50km event in May — because apparently that now counts as a training run.

Do I know if I can actually finish any of this? Absolutely not. But that feels like the perfect reason to try.

Why I’m doing this...

Alongside the challenge (and mild panic), I want to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK — a charity funding pioneering research to find treatments and ultimately a cure for dementia.

They’ve already:

- Invested hundreds of millions into research projects

- Helped drive breakthroughs in understanding, diagnosis, and potential treatments

- Supported scientists working across the world to tackle one of the biggest health challenges we face

Every 3 minutes dementia steals a happily ever after. Right now, there are still no treatments that can stop or cure dementia, which is why this work matters so much.

The ask...

If you can donate — amazing.

If you can share — also amazing.

If you just want to follow along and watch me question my decisions over 47 miles — equally appreciated.

I’ll be doing the hard part (running).

You’ll be doing the important part (funding a cure).

Deal?