David's London Marathon and 260 in 2026 Challenge!

To run the London and Clarendon Marathons plus 200 kilometres more across 15+ formal event, to raise money for Cancer Research.

My Story

UPDATE: I am now running the London Marathon. Please support me to raise as much money as possible. Running can be painful, especially on dodgy knees and lacking fitness. It is, of course, temporary pain, and can never compare to the pain of suffering with cancer or losing someone we love to cancer. This is why I am running in 2026. In 2025 I attended funerals of a friend and a family member, both remarkable individuals taken far too soon by this awful disease. Both leaving behind beautiful families to keep going despite the grief they feel from their loss. Other family, friends, and colleagues continue to struggle to beat cancer. I am constantly amazed by the resilience and fortitude of those who suffer and those who support them. I want to do more to help, which can be difficult when living further away. This challenge is one way I can be part of the fight against cancer and I intend to give it everything I can. Here's the basics: - I am running the London Marathon!!! - Also the Clarendon Trail Marathon (more on this below) - I will run (at least) 260 timed/raced kilometres in 2026 including the above two events. - Only formal race/ event situations count. Training cannot be included but Parkruns can as a top up as they are formally timed. - Mostly the kilometres will be achieved in marathons (2) half marathons (5+), 10 mile (2) and 10km (3) races. Some Highlights already: COMPLETE Parkrun x 4 - Ganger Farm - 3 January - Southampton Common - 28 February - Durham - 4 April - Eastleigh - 18 April 10km x 1 - Winchester - 22 February Half Marathon (trail) x 3 - Winchester Trail Run - 11 January - Queen Elizabeth Country Park - 31 January - New Forest - Hinton Admiral - 7 March - Bournemouth Bay Half - 22 March [in fancy dress] Marathon - 42.2km - London!! - 26th April [in fancy dress] RUNNING TOTAL 157 km OTHER EVENTS I have signed up for one further half-marathon and two 10 mile races in Hampshire and Dorset. One of these is the Great South Run. I have entered the iconic and brutal Clarendon Marathon in October 2026. https://www.clarendon-marathon.co.uk/ This is a straight run trail race from Salisbury to Winchester. It takes an ancient Kings Route and notably does not avoid hills.... Why is this all a challenge: Hopefully the answer is obvious here not least in the difficulty offered by trail runs including the Clarendon. In my twenties I ran a lot and completed three marathons. I was pretty fit and reasonably fast. Two decades on and I am heavier, less fit, and have dodgy knees. Getting through the year will be as much about injury prevention as it will be about fitness. Ultimately I felt drawn to a longer challenge. One that would test me throughout the year. Hopefully one that will convince people to support me for the effort I will put in beyond the important charity that the money will go to. There are different ways you can donate: - Now, to give me an initial boost - Halfway through to keep up my spirits as I question my decision to do this... - At the end of the year to (hopefully) congratulate me on a task completed! - All three - broken down however you like. But simply - anything you can offer by way of donation will be wonderful and much appreciated. I hope you won't mind if I keep you posted through the year on progress and other opportunities to support me. Thank you all.

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