Most of you will know my love of the mountains. This love is surpassed by my hatred of running. So, for this year’s challenge what have I gone and signed up for? You’ve guessed it, a run in the Welsh mountains.

The Man versus Mountain challenge starts at sea level from Caernarfon Castle and weaves its way to the summit of Snowdon via the Ranger path, and down the Llanberis path into Dinorwic Quarry where the organisers have thrown in an array of punishing obstacles, including the infamous Vertical Kilometre, for us to tackle. The challenge covers a distance of 22 miles and 1,500 metres of ascent. I am aiming to complete the challenge in under 6 hours.

I will be joined by good friend Nick Woods, who persuaded me to sign up for the challenge. Whether we remain friends afterwards remains to be seen.

Once again, I will be taking this opportunity to raise money for Epilepsy Research UK. Epilepsy Research UK is the only national charity in the UK that is exclusively dedicated to funding independent research into this condition. Epilepsy Research UK supports the work of scientists and clinicians throughout the UK, who are investigating all aspects of epilepsy in both adults and children. They are especially looking at what causes epilepsy, who is at risk of developing it, what goes on in the brain during a seizure, and safer drugs and better surgical techniques to treat it.

This condition has had a big impact on my family, as my dear wife Kerry has lived with Epilepsy for the last 10 years.

I realise so many of you are undertaking your own challenges and doing amazing things for your chosen charities, and well done to you. All I ask is if you can afford to spare a few pounds please do, knowing that you will be making a difference to the lives of others.

Thank you in advance for your wonderful support.

Nathan