THE VIRTUAL SPINE RACE

Widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest endurance races, the Montane SpineRace is a truly epic challenge that tests a competitor’s physical resilience and mental fortitude. Racing non-stop along the Pennine Way, runners experience the full intensity and ferocity of the British Winter.
In 2021, as well as the traditional race, there is the chance to take part in a ‘Virtual’ Montane Spine Race in which I will run and walk the entire 268-mile distance of the ‘Spine Race’ from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the remote Scottish borders between January 1st and the 31st. Being Virtual means that every mile I run or walk anywhere will be recorded and show me virtually travelling along the famous route. The challenge equates to a massive 8.65 miles every single day throughout January and with this being one of the coldest and wettest months of the year it will feel every bit as tough for me as it does taking part in the real event.
My fundraising page for this mammoth challenge can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20 Please give generously for this amazing charity.

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A New Year & A New Challenge

A New Year & A New Challenge

Well, 2020 didn’t go to plan did it lol. As some of you will be very aware my plans to do 20 half marathons in 2020 reached 4 before a nasty little virus firstly got us stuck in New Zealand and then ruled out all future races for the year. The challenge came to an abrupt pause in February after 4 races and with £65 raised. 

So I’ve been thinking over Christmas about what to do about it and an email from the Charity with our friend Laura Nuttall in it kicked me into action. It coincided with another email from Montane about the annual Spine race which is a mammoth non-stop slog up the 268 mile Pennine Way. One day I would love to be able to do this but I’m a long way from that level yet. Interestingly though I spotted they were doing a virtual event. Basically, you run/jog/walk the 268 miles throughout the month of January which works out at a very challenging 8.64 miles per day. Not as brutal as the actual race but I’m sure you’d agree is still a huge challenge in the depths of winter (and a pandemic).

That’s me sold. So there you have it, my fundraising will continue with a different challenge because Covid-19 WONT beat me.

 I’m also planning on doing another huge event in June which is ‘The Wall’. Basically, I will be running and walking the length of Hadrian’s wall in one day. More about that once I’ve worked out all the logistics, I think I’ve got enough on my plate in January though 🙂

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, were moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour.We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.