In April I am running a half marathon in Colombia to raise funds for Diabetes UK and continue my ongoing commitment to improving my health. I pledge to donate 1/2 of all funds raised to Diabetes UK to help fund research and treatment programmes. Please contribute to help me achieve my goals.

Over the summer, as I stared the prospect of turning 50 in the eye, I received the unwelcome diagnosis of Type II Diabetes.

My initial response was shock, disbelief and despair. However, as I came to grips with my new reality, I realized that despite my genetic predisposition towards diabetes many of my issues were lifestyle-based.

It's been many, many years since I was a svelte, athletic rower. Few of you will remember those days ... I'm not sure that I do

Over the past 25 years as a coach, I have poured lots of energy into helping people to become the best versions of themselves, but I seldom took my own advice.

In the wake of my diagnosis, as I did some soul searching, I began thinking about my daughter and realized that if I didn't change my habits, she may never get to see the "old man" truly get old. Initially this made me very sad, but rather than wallowing in self-pity I decided to use it as motivation to change. It was a chance to make a conscious change and head along a new path.

I committed to improving my diet and started running again for the first time in ages. Those early trots were not pretty! Calling them slow is an understatement, lol. However, I persevered and slowly the distances lengthened, and my shuffling became more like running.

Along the way I remembered a long dormant desire to run a marathon. After spending nearly half of my 50 years trying to destroy my fitness, I decided to start with a half marathon.

I will be running in the Corremitierra half marathon in Medellin, Colombia on the 27th of April 2025. My entry has been accepted, my flights are booked, and training is in full swing.

Why run in Medellin?

I needed an audacious target to drive my motivation through the difficult days ahead. As I have suggested to many athletes over the years “Go big or go home”.

Medellin, like me, is undergoing a renaissance. Today it is a vibrant city focused on the future, where innovative urban planning and social development have seen it named 'The Most Innovative City of the World' by the Urban Land Institute, Citigroup and the Wall Street Journal. Nestled in the Aburrá Valley of the Andes Mountains, Medellin sits at the northern edge of Colombia’s famed coffee axis. I cannot think of a better place to continue my journey of renewal than with the beautiful Paisa of “The City of Eternal Spring”.

Once again, I encourage you to give generously in support of Diabetes UK and to help with my run in Colombia.

Thank You!