40 miles for Jack

Last year I lost my best mate Jack, to a rare form of cancer called angiosarcoma.

Jack was one of a kind - funny, generous, full of warmth and laughter. My hero, and the hero of many others who knew him.

Angiosarcoma is an extremely rare form of cancer, with a very poor prognosis. Jack battled with every fibre of his being to stay with us as long as possible- enduring open heart surgery, aggressive chemo and immunotherapy. Not to mention green smoothies that have become the stuff of legend! These things gave him precious extra months with his wife and two young children.

This November would have been Jack’s 40th birthday, and I need to do something to mark the occasion.

The challenge

Some of you may have previously have sponsored me in my Lockdown Marathon For Jack- together we raised nearly £2,000 for his family. Thank you!

Marathons are always a challenge, but to mark Jack’s 40th I want to go to a place I haven’t been before. So this time I’ll be running 40 miles- all in one go.

I’ll be taking on this challenge around the time of Jack’s birthday, likely at Rother Valley Country Park (which has a lake with a 5k-ish footpath around it).

It’s going to be tough. I’m not in the best shape - injuries and two children have seen me put on about a stone and a half since the Lockdown Marathon. I’ve barely run over the half marathon distance since.

So the next couple of months are going to be like an asthmatic, overweight Rocky montage!

It’s all for a good cause

I’m raising money for Sarcoma UK - and if you’d like to sponsor me it would be amazing!

Sarcoma UK is a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer and campaigns for better treatments. It is the only cancer charity in the UK focusing on all types of sarcoma.

The last word

Jack was the ultimate dreamboat. I was honoured to be one of his best men, and never imagined that a few years later I’d have the honour of helping to carry his coffin.

I’ll be running so that no more good people are lost to this terrible disease.

And when I reach the finish, I’ll sip a jäger and red bull in his honour (his preferred way of dealing with a jägerbomb).

Times are tough, but anything you give will be massively appreciated!