My name is David Jones and I am a retired Army Officer.  Just before I left the Forces I started up a diving company and I now spend my time running that.  I am also involved in motivational speaking, first aid training and various other training activities.   Much of the time I am involved in training of others in some form or another.  I am a qualified diving instructor, skiing instructor and love the outdoor way of life.  I am fortunate enough to have travelled much of the World, both in the Forces and since leaving.  In the military I was an Engineer, Bomb Disposal Officer and Diver and I used to speak pretty fluent Nepli after 5 years serving with the Gurkhas.  The love of my life has been diving for many years and I guess that this active lifestyle and a diet of running regularly keeps me in shape (ish).  However, I have to be honest, when I suggested this idea to my friends and family they thought I was mad.  At the ripe old age of 46, well actually 47 at the time of the race, the majority think I ought to know better.  I have been fortunate and I managed to stay reasonably fit as a result of serving for 17 years in the military, but this was a whole new ball game - and I retired 6 years ago! 

So why did I decide to do this.  Well I have done many runs in the past and have donated time and energy to raising money in aid of various charities.  That included several marathons as well as shorter races like the Great South and Great North.  However I think that this particular seed of adventure was planted in about 1996 when a Royal Engineer colleague of mine, Roraigh Ainslie did this race; I thought he was mad!  But if that was not enough he then did it again the following year, only this time took another Royal Engineer officer, Jamie Cuthbertson, with him.  Jamie had been blinded in an explosives accident some time earlier so for him and Roraigh it was an incredible feat.  To me it was quite inspiring.  I suspect that I have wanted to do this run for a long time - I have just never got around to it.  And now, I have the time and the inclination so finally, after all this time I have decided that I would have a go.  It will be an achievement and a once in a lifetime event for me.  If you are inspired then please sponsor me or make a donation.