Three weeks ago I mentioned that now aged 66 I felt another challenge coming on, particularly having gone through a bit of a slump now I am officially a pensioner.   

One of the great people in my early years, Walter Bell, my grandfather, also passed away at the same age. 

Yes, I don’t mind admitting that I do struggle to come to terms with aging. However, I also jokingly mentioned in the column that I had spoken to someone about running Route 66 to coincide with age which some people took seriously. 

The truth be told and as much as I would love to, there is no chance whatsoever of that bearing fruition. I find it hard enough to be away from home for two days, never mind two months and even more!   

Nevertheless, I wasn’t joking when saying I felt a challenge coming on and with that all sorts of things went through my mind along with ideas coming in from close friends. 

However, nothing seemed to tick the box what with having done so many rewarding challenges in the past, all here at home in Norfolk, apart from when running the full length of Hadrian’s Wall, aged 50, and then 10 years later, aged 60. 

Whilst the first time in 2008 was over three days I also knew back then I could have easily run it well under 24 hours which was what ignited my want for doing it again in 2018. Ten years older we did just scrape under 24 hours by 42 minutes, but it was tough. Doing it at a time of year (Sept 29th) when there is less daylight hours didn’t help either. 

So in a nutshell – Hadrian’s Wall it is again, for a third time. However, this time the idea is for myself, Craig Bowen Jones, Karen Grapes and Chas Allen, along with Steph Jones and Tracey Bowen Jones for support, to start around midday on July 24, which will also represent me having ran at least once every day for 43 years - July 25, 1981 to the present date. 

As for when we finish, our aim is to complete the challenge the following day but not necessarily within 24 hours this time. As far as I am concerned it will be what it will be, and I also want to enjoy it more what with wanting to also take in and spend more time looking at the views and sights along the way. I am also hoping to catch up with some of my good running mates from the Northeast in Ian Bloomfield, Dave Jenkin and Alan Whitfield plus former Red Counties team mate Ian Corrin from Liverpool.

Just as importantly, the focus will also be on trying to raise money and awareness for seven different causes which are close to my heart – The Hallswood, Hillside and Pact Animal Sanctuaries, Northern Inuit and Pawpers in the Ruff Dog Rescues and last but most definitely not least, the brilliant Nelson’s Journey who care for young, bereaved persons which of course is also synonymous with running through their CEO Simon Wright along with Gary Stevens and Richard Hancock, who is also the front man for Sportlink TV. 

We have set a target of trying to raise £500 for each of them i.e. a total of £3,500, but at the end of the day whatever we raise will very much be appreciated by each of these hard-working charities and causes. 

I have personally not only witnessed how rewarding it can be when getting up close to the work each cause does, but also how at times you can come away feeling so sad. They are all run by special people who have committed so much of their lives to helping others, be it animals and people. 

Anyway – time to get out for another run as just right now, I am in a bit of a rush trying to build my mileage back up to be able to not only complete the 84 miles of Hadrian’s Wall but also take on the ruggedness and climbing which further add to this very special monument and reminder of this country’s historical past. 

Have a great running weekend everyone and if anyone would like to follow our journey and find out more or donate – please see link. 

One final footnote – a special mention once again to Henry Jonas who produced another superb performance when racing over 1,500 metres in Birmingham on Wednesday night finishing in 3:46.2 secs. Speaking to one of his coaches Pauline Ash, she said: “It’s a good PB for Henry, but he did go off too quickly for which he wasn’t strong on the last lap. However, he’s running another 1,500 at Watford on Saturday before then getting back to 800 metres training for the British Champs at the end of the month.”