From the Severn to the Irish Sea – King Offas Dyke

King Offa’s Dyke Path Charity Run – I started running 10 years ago after signing up for a tough mudder with a couple of mates to raise money for charity. Determined not to embarrass myself with my lack of fitness, having done nothing for a few years, I threw myself into the training and soon discovered a love of running off road through my local park Wepre.

I never imagined then that I’d meet Andrea through running, marry her, join a running club and run something called an ultramarathon let alone 5 ultras in 5 days.

It was at Deestriders running club that we met Paul and Christine and became good friends, running and racing together all the time. Christine had taken up running as a hobby in 2015 after doing a few races for life and finding she enjoyed them and was by now, one of the top female runners at the club.

Fast forward to 2021 and having undergone a knee arthroscopy, back surgery for a prolapsed disc and suffering with osteitis pubis, I was on a bit of a running low until I watched one of my best friends Lee Ireland putting his body on the line day after day to complete the Dragons Back race. His performance that week gave me the inspiration to dream big again.

I decided then, that I wanted to try & raise some money for charity, but in doing so, I wanted to attempt to do something that would push me beyond anything I’d done before. I had 4 charities in mind, each having personal meaning to me, which were Asthma and Lung uk, Mind uk, Alzheimer’s Research uk and Nightingale House Hospice.

Running with Asthma poses it’s own problems at times, summer being the worst for me, but running carrying injuries just wouldn’t work this time around. There’d be no hiding place, so I decided to take some time out to heal, get strong then come back and give it my all.