After last year's victory at the Great North Run (I define victory by actually completing the run in less than 5 days), I was so overjoyed that I immediately signed up for this year's race !! (and the next, and the one after!). I was on incredibly strong pain killers at the time :)

The atmosphere was electric, fellow runners were oozing comradery and the support from complete strangers was uplifting.  However, the thing that really kept me going was the safe knowledge that my mate James had a 2-pint jug of beer waiting and a king size hot dog !!

That 'safe knowledge' transpired to be 'vain hope' when I could not find him at the end of the race and had to buy my own !! As punishment, he has been roped in to running also this year, along with my other pal, Craig 'The Bald Eagle' White.

Our joint training schedule this year has been full and a' plenty.  In fact, it has included plenty of San Miguel and Domino's Pizza which is why we are full.  Shockingly poor preparation and a bout of surgery related illness for both myself and Craig, would suggest (no instruct) that we should really not do this !!! However, committed to raising funds for Hartlepool Families First, I am determined to complete it and hopefully a little quicker than last years 3 hours, 7 mins.....or 2 hours and 67mins as I have been telling people for the past 10 months :) 

Plus, there is the added bonus of knowing that Nicola will be at the finish line to welcome me with her loving open arms........and that 2-pint jug of beer & hot dog that James failed to produce in 2015.

Donations are gratefully accepted and they will all go to an amazing cause which really does help a lot of local children and young people.

A final word, don't forget to say a short prayer to St Michael (ie San Miguel) on 13 September.  Afterall, he is the Patron Saint of Boozy Runners

For those who cannot be bothered to donate by Card, you can either:

• Give either Nicola or I cash next time you see us and we will add to the pot, or
• Send a text to 70070, starting off with the work GUMP78 (in tribute to Forest Gump) along with your donation amount. Eg, sending GUMP78 £5 to 70070 will donate £5 - simples !!
  

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.