So why did a 45 year old who never runs take the plunge and sign up for the Brighton Marathon?

"Did you say marathon?" is what all my friends have been saying, because in spite of being a cyclist they know I have always said I hate running. I ran six miles for Sport Relief about 18 months ago and my knee hurt after only a mile. Those six miles were part of a personal concerted effort to take on some physical challenges for causes I care about. After Sport Relief I cycled the cross-country 100 miles of the South Downs Way for the Argus Appeal and that summer I cycled from London to Paris for Leonard Cheshire Disability. This summer I cycled solo from the High Court in London to Peacehaven to raise funds for the high court challenge to the inappropriate sewage works proposals for a greenfield site in Peacehaven. I really enjoyed all those rides though I was pretty saddle sore after all of them.

So why the Brighton Marathon? Well to be a part of the first one held in this city and to raise money for causes such as the Argus Appeal, Martlets Hospice and the Sussex Beacon seemed an opportunity not to be missed. I know the training will be hard, both physically and in terms of making the time, I have a young family and being a political campaigner leaves little spare time in the evenings and weekends but I know I really want to prove to myself that I can do this. I know there are those who will want to ridicule me for what may well be an embarrassing effort, but you have to be prepared to make a fool of yourself sometimes - especially if it is for good causes.